While big bosses at ITV are banking on Holly Willoughby‘s place at “the heart of the show’s future” with a reported £1 million pay deal, This Morning viewers appeared to hit back at the decision when the TV ‘golden girl’ was snubbed by public voters at the National Television Awards last week.
The blow comes after Holly’s co-star Phillip Schofield sensationally quit when his “unwise but not illegal” affair with a much younger male colleague came to light.
While Holly has not spoken to Phil – who has confirmed that Holly knew nothing about his affair – since, the former presenter, 61, was spotted enjoying dinner with Vanessa Feltz in London last week after months of keeping a low-profile.
Meanwhile, an insider reveals Holly, 42, had been hoping she could finally be back on side with This Morning viewers, some of whom have accused her of throwing Phil ‘under the bus’.
The source says, “Being snubbed from the NTAs has knocked her confidence for six, because she felt like she has been working so hard to steady the ship at This Morning after the Phil scandal.
“It does feel a little like a betrayal from viewers, who she accepts have felt upset about the circumstances – but she’s fuming at the idea that some people will enjoy seeing her punished for it.
“Now she can’t help but feel she is still being unfairly blamed for Phil’s actions – when all Holly has tried to do is be professional and keep the show going.”
While Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have scooped up the award for Best Presenter 21 times, Holly was previously nominated for the gong every year from 2018 to 2021.
However, last year she was overtaken on the nominations list by co-presenter and rising star Alison Hammond, who retains her place on this year’s shortlist alongside Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman. This Morning has also kept its spot on the awards list for Best Daytime Show.
Now fans have taken to social media to suggest this latest snub could signal it’s time for Holly to resign, with one viewer writing, “Goodbye Holly, it’s time to move on”, while another accused ITV of being “deaf” to viewers’ wishes for her to be replaced.
The source adds, “The fact that Alison has been nominated while she hasn’t, also stings a bit for Holly. Although she wasn’t nominated last year either, Holly was hoping that this year she might have found some support from viewers who can see the hard work she has been putting into the show, and that she’s been completely genuine.
“While it’s good the show itself is still nominated, it feels a little bitter sweet for Holly.”