Insiders recently told Closer how a devastated Holly Willoughby had been left in a “a state of complete turmoil” and regularly “bursting into tears” as she struggled to deal with the catastrophic effects of Phillip Schofield’s affair, both for This Morning and on their 14-year friendship. But last week, the much-loved golden girl of TV, 42, stood strong as she bravely returned to the ITV daytime show’s sofa and addressed the scandal with a statement to viewers.
Describing herself as “shaken”, “troubled” and “let down”, Holly said, “I hope that as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.” But the statement was met with criticism from fans and fellow celebrities.
Last week Amanda Holden was forced to deny reports that she is feuding with Holly. The Britain’s Got Talent presenter, who has been locked in a row with Phillip for many years, seemed to poke fun at Holly when she appeared on an Instagram video dressed in white, copying her phrase, “Are you OK?”. Just 48 hours later, Amanda, 52, took to Instagram to express her dismay at how “strong and intelligent women have for far too long been pitted against one another”.
However, a source now reveals how Holly’s statement and return to the sofa has marked a huge turning point for her.
The insider says, “Holly is determined to stay on the show and as far as she is concerned, last week marked the start of a brand new chapter for her. It felt like therapy to get it out in the open. The last couple of weeks have been humiliating and there have been many times when she’s been tempted to quit. The more she’s been thinking about it, the more she’s grown to see that none of what has happened is her fault. She wants to make it work and she wants to help navigate the programme through a really difficult chapter.”
Holly’s stand comes after weeks of calls from viewers, who have questioned just how much Holly did or didn’t know about Phil’s affair, which reportedly ended in 2020, with a much younger colleague who previously worked at This Morning. Following photographs of Holly embracing the unnamed man, now in his twenties, on the red carpet, one fan commented, “She definitely knew – they were absolute besties”, while another commented on Holly’s Instagram, “Your lack of empathy just to save your brand is despicable”.
The source adds that while calls from the public and TV stars such as The X Factor’s Rebecca Ferguson and ex BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker to investigate ITV and the treatment of their talent, Holly is standing by the channel’s top dogs.
They add, “A lot of people still want to try to force her out. She knows that. But she is not going to be bullied or pushed around and she’s fuming over the backlash directed at her – she’s not once lied during any of this.
“She’s been lied to and it’s not her responsibility. Phillip has held his hands up and said sorry, and although Holly is nowhere near able to forgive or forget, she still feels a huge affection for the show, for its staff and for ITV as well. Holly is actually a lot stronger than people give her credit for and she is focused on making sure the show recovers from the problems it has gone through in recent weeks.”
Holly took to her Instagram account last week to praise her new co-star for the week, Josie Gibson, adding a heart emoji to a picture of the two women together at the show’s London studio. It’s yet to be confirmed whether Josie will take over the sought-after TV role longer term – with rising stars Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle, as well as show stalwart Dermot O’Leary, also in the running – but it’s clear that Holly is keen to replace Phil swiftly.
Following her statement, insiders revealed how Holly has vowed never to talk about her toxic falling-out with Phil any time in the near future. They say, “This is the only time Holly will ever speak about Phil and what has happened. People expecting her to sit and pour her heart out will be sorely disappointed.”
However, the insider says that despite the ongoing furore, the scandal could prove to be an unexpected career boost for Holly if she is ultimately pushed out of This Morning and poached by another competing channel. After refusing to be tied into a “golden handcuffs” deal with ITV, savvy businesswoman Holly has previously made moves to the BBC – hosting the series Freeze The Fear With Wim Hof last year.
Now the insider says, “Friends and family have pointed out that there is a danger that things will never be as good as they were, that she’s achieved all she can on This Morning and that her future lies elsewhere. The BBC would love to poach Holly and she is willing to listen to offers.
“Ultimately, this will leave Holly holding all the cards. She’s in a win-win situation. It might not feel like it right now but, in the long run, the scandal could be the best thing that’s happened to Holly’s career in ages.”