Holly Willoughby’s true feelings about Phillip Schofield came out after his bombshell interview
Sources say PHILLIP Schofield’s former This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby is “sad” to learn he is suffering from mental health issues after leaving the show.
The couple had worked together on the show for 13 years, but she will return to the screen without him on Monday after taking a two-week semester break.
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Phillip opened up about the pain his affair with a much younger ITV runner has caused in an exclusive interview with The Sun.
And our source said, “Holly hasn’t spoken to Phil but was sad to see him like this.”
“To see Phil so dejected and in such bad shape was disturbing to many people who know him personally.
“There’s a big team on This Morning and it was shocking for people to see him like that.”
“It’s an incredibly sad situation. Phil is now supported by his daughters and friends.
“The focus of the This Morning team and Holly is on delivering the best shows possible going forward.”
“That’s what Phil wants too – he’s made that clear. He loves This Morning and wants it to flourish despite his exit.”
Holly will be joined on the sofa by Josie Gibson when she resumes her role on Monday.
Holly is understood to be working with various presenters in the coming weeks.
It will remain on the air through the summer holidays and then take another planned longer hiatus until September.
On Thursday, she posted a fresh-faced picture to her wellness brand Wylde Moon’s Instagram feed — the first time she’s shared a selfie online since Phil said.
Holly expressed her sadness at Phillip’s cheating after he walked in in a public statement.
She said: “It took some time to process yesterday’s news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if that was true and was told it wasn’t.
“It was very hurtful to find out now that was a lie.”
Holly spends time with her sister and young family in Portugal.
Phil opened up about his sadness at the breakdown of their relationship in recent weeks, but said he understands why Holly has decided to break away from their friendship.
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He confirmed The Sun’s revelation that the couple was no longer speaking and said Holly had not responded to a message he sent her apologizing before his affair revelation was released.
Phil said: “I lost my best friend. Holly knew nothing (of the affair). And it was one of the first texts I sent to say, “I’m so, so sorry I lied to you.”
“She didn’t answer and I understand why she didn’t answer. So yeah, if anyone is associating Holly with this in any way, that’s absolutely, utterly wrong.
“I didn’t have a feud with Holly. She is my TV sister. But rightly so, when I’m in the middle of a damn show with bad press about something I didn’t do anything wrong — I did everything right, in fact — that’s a witch hunt. And that robs this (friendship).
“Quite rightly, she will take a step back.”
Former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack’s mother Christine said last night she felt ITV didn’t treat Phil properly.
Discussing whether ITV had learned lessons after Caroline’s death in February 2020, she said: “You haven’t learned anything.
“They treat them like commodities. They are not commodities, they are people.”
“They are just sidelined and not protected.”
How he lost his TV career in 22 days
HOW the star’s life fell apart in 22 days. . .
MAY 11: We reveal that Phil and Holly don’t talk off-screen on ‘This Morning’.
12TH OF MAY: Phil issued a statement to The Sun confirming this, saying: “It hasn’t been easy for me or Holly.”
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MAY 13: The Sun reveals the tense phone call between the two presenters as their falling out becomes public.
MAY 15: He hires lawyers to protect his reputation.
17TH OF MAY: This morning, the bosses are planning a massive restructuring.
MAY 21: ITV strikes out Phil as he’s urged to resign.
MAY 22: Friends tell The Sun Phil is “completely broken” after being forced to leave.
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MAY 27: Phil issues a statement on his affair as The Sun reports on the anger of his fans and peers.
28TH OF MAY: Friends tell The Sun of Holly’s upset at Phil’s betrayal.
MAY 29: Sponsors are leaving ITV over the scandal.
31. MAY: Holly confirms she will be back on This Morning from Monday, despite being told to step down.
2TH OF JUNE: Phil’s bombastic first interview with The Sun and his apology for lying.
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