Petition to axe Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from This Morning reaches over 55,000 signatures

The petition calling for Phillip and Schofield and Holly Willoughby to be axed from This Morning has reached a new peak.

Both presenters were met with intense criticism online after they were accused of skipping the queue to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state.

Although the pair clarified that they visited Westminster Hall as members of the press for a segment for This Morning, people were still up in arms.

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A petition posted on change.org calling for the pair to be axed has now reached over 55,000 signatures.

The original goal for the petition was 15,000 signatures, however it was increased to 50,000 – a target which it has now surpassed.

On Wednesday 21 September, the petition had surpassed 35,000 signatures and a new goal has now been set for 75,000 signatures.

Holly and Phillip vehemently denied skipping the queue in a voiceover segment that aired on Tuesday’s (20 September) show.

Holly explained: "Like accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall.

"It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person.

"The rules were we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back."

She continued: "In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin, and were given time to pause.

"None of the broadcasters or journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no one filed past the Queen.

"We of course respected those rules, however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction."

The This Morning team also came to Holly and Phillip's defence with a statement shared on Instagram. The post - which was shared as an Instagram Story on Sunday, 18 September - read: "Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something.

"We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.

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"They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event."

In related news, Holly also shared how she is helping her three children understand the Queen's death.

The presenter visited the gates of Buckingham Palace with Harry, 13, Belle, 11 and Chester, seven, to pay their respects.

“The last time I was outside Buckingham Palace was in June, for the Jubilee and the pageant," she reflected on the show broadcasted on 12 September. "It was the last time we saw the Queen walk out onto the balcony.

“And then suddenly, three months later, to be there placing flowers in her memory was just... it was difficult. It was very, very emotional.”