Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's 'strained relationship' off camera as pair 'barely speak'

ITV This Morning stars Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are 'barely speaking' off camera as insiders claim she is distancing herself from her former pal despite their previously close relationship.

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Siobhan MacdonaldTrainee Showbiz Reporter

08:46, 11 MAY 2023

After reports on the wage gap between Holly and Phil in 2017, the pair now earn the same amount on the show — Holly and Phil's once close friendship has 'cooled off' (Image: Instagram/Phillip Schofield)

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are 'barely speaking' when the cameras aren't rolling as she seems to be distancing herself from her former pal.

The presenting duo has fronted This Morning together since 2009 but now insiders are claiming their once close friendship has 'cooled off'. There had been issues behind the scenes for a while, and their strained relationship was exacerbated when Phil, 61, took a few weeks off for his brother's sex abuse scandal.

After being at the front of the 'Queue-gate' scandal last year, Holly, 40, has reportedly made ITV bosses aware that she is prepared to do This Morning without Phil if he leaves. A source told The Sun: “Holly adores This Morning and for the first time in 14 years she has made it clear that should Phil ever leave she would want to stay. They are separate entities.

“To those around them on set, it has become clear recently that Holly and Phil are not as close as they once were. Professionally you would have no idea there was anything going on because on camera they are acting exactly the same."

The insider added: "But behind the scenes their relationship has cooled. Before there would be a lot of banter and camaraderie off-camera but that has dwindled.”

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have finally reunited on This Morning after a month apart. — Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have a rocky relationship behind the scenes (Image: ITV)

Holly joined Phil on This Morning in 2009 after replacing Fern Britton as his co-host and they have taken home a whopping 12 National Television Awards in the years since. The mother-of-three was Phil's 'rock' after he came out as gay live on TV in 2020 and they frequently spent time together outside of filming, including summer holidays abroad with their families.

However, now ITV insiders have claimed their friendship has turned frosty as Holly and Phil don't speak to each other outside of filming.

The insider added: “Holly and Phil have gone through rough patches before like any professional pairing who have worked together for over a decade. Before they have always seemed to move on, but this time it seems different.”

A source continued: “Holly has always supported Phil but they aren’t Ant and Dec. In the past year alone she’s hosted shows for ITV and the BBC and has more than proved her mettle.

“This Morning is Holly’s home and she adores her job. Her bosses at ITV know she would wish to stay if Phil ever did choose to move on.

“Holly is focused on her career and doing the best job she can for fans. That is what really matters to her.”

This comes after reports emerged ITV bosses were thinking of letting Phil go after analysing feedback from viewers online. A TV insider has come forward to say that ITV bosses are monitoring social media reactions to the presenters and see many viewers are 'tired' of Phillip, but love Alison.

One source claimed to Mail On Sunday: "It's a case of both things colliding. Fans say they are over Phil and they love Alison."