Ulrika Jonsson has weighed into the Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ‘fallout’ (Picture: Rex)
Ulrika Jonsson has weighed in on Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s reported fallout, saying that ‘something is rotten in the state of This Morning.’
The future of the ITV daytime programme appears to be up in the air after a report claimed Phil, 61, and Holly, 42, were ‘barely speaking’ behind-the-scenes and that their relationship had ‘cooled’.
While they have continued putting on a united front on the This Morning sofa, and Phil recently insisted they are ‘still the best of friends’, rumours have continued swirling, with reports escalating to claims that Phil is ‘refusing to quit This Morning’, as one source called the situation a ‘runaway train that cannot be stopped’.
Meanwhile, a recent insider alleged that Holly contemplated quitting the programme, saying that ‘by removing herself from the situation she could protect herself better’, and odds have now predicted she is just weeks from stepping back, with bookmaker William Hill revealing that she has a 4/1 chance to leave This Morning before the start of June.
Writing in her column in The Sun, former Gladiators presenter Ulrika, 55, has branded the so-called fallout a ‘war of the egos’, calling daytime television programmes ‘a lively, narcissistic melting pot of ego, vanity, hierarchy and domination’.
The future of This Morning is rumoured to be up in the air (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Ulrika thinks this could be the end of the road for Phil and Holly (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
She continued by saying Holly and Phil have ‘forgotten about their audience and appointed themselves the stars’ of This Morning.
Ulrika added: ‘Phil has carved out a role as kingmaker — telling editorial staff who he will and won’t work with.’
Referring to his past fallouts, she added: ‘I’m sure Fern Britton and Eamonn Holmes would be willing to back that up.’
Ulrika continued: ‘Phil is a talented guy but I was a tad disappointed when it emerged he had felt the need to bury his homosexuality in a wholesome marriage over — what felt like — a fear of damaging his career.
‘And perhaps this really is the end of the road for Holly and Phil.’
This comes after Eamonn Holmes launched a blistering rant against the duo, saying that they have ‘no chemistry’.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
The presenter, 63, who used to host the Friday edition of This Morning with his wife Ruth Langsford, 63, before being replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, said: ‘I think there should’ve been a special award for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for best actors.’
He continued on GB News: ‘They may or may not be together on the telly today, but he’s brought in lawyers, she’s brought in [a] PR team. The public surely have sussed that there’s no chemistry, that there’s a broken fit between the two of them.’
Eamonn and his wife Ruth Langsford used to present Friday’s This Morning (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock)
Eamonn continued stressing that in his opinion, This Morning ‘does not depend on who presents it’.
‘It’s an institution. It will carry on no matter who presents it, and anybody can check the viewing figures. There’s no difference between whether they present it or anyone else,’ he added.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : How much are Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield worth? Net worths compared
‘Perhaps this really is the end of the road.’
