What Holly Willoughby has previously said about Philip Schofield feud

Holly Willoughby has previously addressed claims about the rumoured 'toxic' feud between herself and This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield.

Yesterday (11 May), Schofield responded to yet another claim of a squabble with Willoughby after allegations arose that the pair 'barely spoke' when the cameras weren't rolling and that the issues have been going on 'for some time'.

The pair have co-hosted the programme together for nearly 15 years now after Willoughby replaced previous co-host, Fearne Cotton, back in 2009.

ITV

Schofield addressed the rumoured feud with Willoughby in a statement to The Sun, in which he called her his 'rock' and commented on how difficult the 'last few weeks' had been for the pair.

He said: "As I have said before, Holly is my rock.

"We’re the best of friends — as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone."

The ITV star went on to reveal that Willoughby always had his back throughout their careers.

He continued: "Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her.

"The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us."

And this isn't the first time the This Morning co-hosts' friendship has been put under the spotlight.

Back in 2019, it was reported that the duo's working relationship had become 'strained'.

Instagram/@hollywilloughby

ITV dismissed the allegations at the time, saying: "It's deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.

"Phillip is a much-respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.

"Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike."

Editor Martin Frizell also added: "We have the smartest viewers watching telly and believe me they would be the first to notice any issues - they haven't because there are none."

And Willoughby had her own thoughts on the matter.

She told reporters at the press launch for Dancing on Ice: "You couldn’t do the amount of hours of TV that we do with each other without getting on."

She then went on to further address the claims on an episode of The Jonathan Ross Show, telling the talkshow host: "I’ve read those things, too.

"It hurts sometimes, because it’s so unfair and untrue, so it’s difficult sometimes. We’re just incredibly lucky."

Willoughby went on to state just how much she loved her co-host, adding: "I do really love him. I really love him."

When asked if there was any substance to the rumours that she was planning on leaving the show, the former Celebrity Juice panelist declared that she 'never thinks like that'.

ITV

She continued: "The show changes so much, I think that’s the beauty of This Morning.

"Recently, it’s had the highest ratings it’s had in 15 years. It’s doing really, really well which is extraordinary for a show that’s been around for as long as it has. And I think because it changes and it evolves and it adapts.

"But I think that show has something to teach us a little bit; as long as we keep evolving and changing and moving on and happy to flow with things."

Topics: Celebrity, Holly Willoughby, ITV, Phillip Schofield, This Morning

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.