Phillip Schofield's statement in full as he makes bombshell comment on Holly friendship

ok.co.uk:

Following Thursday's reports that This Morning duo Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are "barely speaking" off-camera at the moment and have "become more distant", last night saw 61-year-old presenter Phil make an official statement.The father-of-two claimed it has been a difficult "few weeks" for the on-screen duo, with his comment on their alleged estrangement understood to have been a bid to mend his broken friendship and working relationship with Holly, 42. "The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us," the 61 year old said. "As I have said before, Holly is my rock." He continued: "We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. "Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin.

And I’ve been there for her," he added to The Sun. The ITV double-act - who have presented This Morning together since 2009 - became "great friends" after first having met as hosts of Dancing On Ice on the same channel.

Phillip famously described long-time pal as his "rock" when he came out as gay live on This Morning in 2020. But mum-of-three Holly is said to have been left blindsided by Phillip's statement, with a source close to the much-loved presenting powerhouse telling the Daily Mail that Holly had no idea Phillip was going to make a statement.

They added that the first she saw of it was when it was published online last night. Phillip's shock statement came just hours after reports emerged which claimed Holly had made it clear that "should Phil ever leave she would want to stay". "They are separate entities," a source told The Sun yesterday. "It has become an open secret that things aren't as rosy as they once were." They added that the rift.