by Sherif M. Awad

If you’re a fan of daytime TV in the UK, you probably know who Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are. They were the hosts of This Morning, one of the most successful and longest-running shows on ITV. They also presented Dancing on Ice, a celebrity ice skating competition, and other special events. They were known for their chemistry, their humour, and their professionalism. They seemed to have a genuine friendship that transcended the screen.

But behind the scenes, things were not as rosy as they appeared. In 2022, rumours of a feud between Holly and Phil started to circulate, as well as allegations of Phil’s affair with a younger colleague. In 2023, Phil confirmed his affair and quit This Morning after 20 years, leaving Holly hurt and betrayed. Their relationship was over, and so was their TV partnership.

What happened to Holly and Phil? How did they go from being best friends to enemies? And what will happen to them now? In this blog post, we’ll tell you the complete story of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, from their rise to their fall, and their future.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• How It All Started: The Rise of Holly and Phil
• How It All Ended: The Fall of Holly and Phil
• What’s Next: The Future of Holly and Phil
• Frequently Asked Questions

How It All Started: The Rise of Holly and Phil

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield first met in 2006, when they were both working for ITV. Holly was a presenter on children’s show Ministry of Mayhem, while Phil was a presenter on This Morning, alongside Fern Britton.

They hit it off right away, and became good friends. They also had a lot in common: they were both married with children, they both loved TV, and they both had a cheeky sense of humour.

In 2008, they got the chance to work together for the first time, when they were chosen to host Dancing on Ice. The show was a hit with viewers, who loved watching celebrities perform ice skating routines with professional partners. Holly and Phil added to the fun with their witty commentary, their playful banter, and their glamorous outfits.

In 2009, Holly got an even bigger opportunity: she was offered to replace Fern Britton as Phil’s co-host on This Morning. She accepted without hesitation, and joined Phil on the sofa of the iconic show.

This Morning is a live show that airs every weekday morning from 10am to 12:30pm. It covers a variety of topics, such as news, health, lifestyle, entertainment, cooking, consumer advice, and more. It also features interviews with celebrities, experts, and ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

Holly and Phil quickly became one of the most popular TV duos in the UK. They had a natural rapport, a genuine affection, and a professional respect for each other. They also had a lot of fun on air, often cracking up at mishaps or innuendos. They were not afraid to show their emotions either: they cried together when they heard sad stories or celebrated happy ones.

Some of Their Best Moments on Screen

Holly and Phil had many memorable moments on screen over the years. Here are some of their best ones:

• In 2016, they showed up on This Morning still wearing their clothes from the night before, after winning the National Television Award for Best Live Magazine Show. They admitted they had been partying all night and had not gone to bed.
• In 2017, they interviewed Gino D’Acampo, an Italian chef who often appeared on This Morning. Gino made them laugh uncontrollably when he said “if my grandmother had wheels she would have been a bike” in response to Holly’s comment about his dish.
• In 2018, they interviewed Ryan Thomas, an actor who had been accused of punching Roxanne Pallett, another actor, on Celebrity Big Brother. They defended Ryan and confronted Roxanne, who had admitted to lying about the incident.
• In 2019, they interviewed Phillip’s wife Stephanie Lowe, who rarely appeared on TV. They talked about their marriage, their family, and their love for each other.
• In 2020, they interviewed Phillip after he came out as gay in a heartfelt statement. They hugged him and praised him for his courage and honesty.

How It All Ended: The Fall of Holly and Phil

Despite their on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship, Holly and Phil’s relationship started to deteriorate in 2022. Rumours of a feud between them began to emerge, as well as allegations of Phil’s affair with a younger colleague.

According to some sources, the tension between them was caused by several factors, such as Phil’s controlling behaviour, Holly’s growing popularity, and their conflicting personalities. Some also claimed that Phil was jealous of Holly’s other projects, such as her clothing line and her book.

However, the main reason for their fallout was Phil’s affair with a young male ITV employee, whom he had met when he was a teenager and helped him get into TV. Phil had been married to Stephanie Lowe since 1993, and they had two daughters together. He had also come out as gay in 2020, but said he still loved his wife and wanted to stay with her.

Holly was unaware of Phil’s affair until rumours of it started to circulate in the media. She confronted him and asked him if it was true, but he denied it. She believed him and defended him publicly, calling him her “best friend” and her “TV husband”.

But in 2023, Phil confessed his affair in a statement to the Daily Mail. He said he had lied to everyone, including his wife, his co-workers, his agents, and his friends. He said he was sorry for being unfaithful and for hurting so many people. He also said he had decided to quit This Morning after 20 years, as he felt he needed a fresh start.

How Holly Confronted Phil About His Lie

Holly was devastated when she found out that Phil had lied to her about his affair. She felt betrayed and angry, as she had trusted him and supported him for so long. She also felt embarrassed and humiliated, as she had been defending him in public while he had been deceiving her in private.

She confronted him on the day he announced his departure from This Morning. She asked him why he had lied to her, and how he could do that to her after everything they had been through together. She told him he had broken her heart and ruined their friendship.

Phil tried to apologize and explain himself, but Holly was not interested in hearing his excuses. She told him she did not want to see him or talk to him ever again. She also told him she was glad he was leaving the show, as she could not work with him anymore.

How Phil Quit This Morning After 20 Years

Phil announced his exit from This Morning on a Saturday in June 2023. He posted a statement on his Instagram account, where he revealed his affair and his decision to leave the show. He said he had been struggling with his personal life for a long time, and that he needed a change.

He thanked his fans for their support and love over the years, and said he was proud of what he had achieved on This Morning. He also thanked his colleagues and friends at ITV, especially Holly, whom he called his “soulmate”. He said he hoped they would forgive him for his mistakes, and that he wished them all the best.

He did not appear on This Morning on Monday, as he had already left the show. Holly hosted the show alone, and made a brief statement at the beginning. She said she was shocked and saddened by Phil’s news, and that she hoped he would find happiness and peace. She also said she would miss him terribly, and that she loved him as a friend.

What’s Next: The Future of Holly and Phil

Holly and Phil’s split has left many fans wondering what will happen to them next, both personally and professionally. Will they ever reconcile their friendship? Will they find new partners? Will they continue to work on TV? Here are some possible scenarios for their future.

Who Will Replace Phil as Holly’s Co-Host on This Morning?

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is who will replace Phil as Holly’s co-host on This Morning. The show has been running since 1988, and has had several presenters over the years, such as Richard Madeley, Judy Finnigan, Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Langsford, and Rylan Clark-Neal.

However, none of them have matched the popularity and chemistry of Holly and Phil, who have been hosting the show together since 2009. They have won several awards for their work, such as the National Television Award for Best Live Magazine Show for six consecutive years.

ITV has not announced who will take over Phil’s role yet, but there are some rumours and speculations. Some of the names that have been mentioned are:

• Gino D’Acampo: The Italian chef who often appears on This Morning as a guest. He has a good rapport with Holly, and is known for his humour and charm.
• Alison Hammond: The former Big Brother contestant who works as a roving reporter on This Morning. She has a bubbly personality and a loyal fan base.
• Rochelle Humes: The former singer who has filled in for Holly on This Morning several times. She has a similar style and vibe to Holly, and is also a mother of three.
• Bradley Walsh: The actor and comedian who hosts The Chase on ITV. He has a lot of experience and charisma, and is friends with Holly and Phil.
• Ant McPartlin or Declan Donnelly: The duo who host several shows on ITV, such as I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Saturday Night Takeaway. They are very popular and successful, and could bring a new energy to This Morning.

Whoever gets the job, they will have big shoes to fill, and will have to work hard to win over the viewers and Holly.

How Holly and Phil Will Move On With Their Lives

Besides their professional future, Holly and Phil also have to deal with their personal lives after their split. They both have families and friends who have been affected by their fallout, and they both have to face the consequences of their actions.

Holly is married to Dan Baldwin, a TV producer, since 2007. They have three children together: Harry, Belle, and Chester. Holly has said that her family is her priority, and that she loves her husband very much. She has also said that she is not interested in dating anyone else, or in having more children.

Holly will probably focus on her family and her career after her split with Phil. She will also continue to work on her other projects, such as her clothing line with Marks & Spencer, her book Reflections, and her podcast This Is My Happy Place. She may also take some time off to heal from the betrayal and the loss of her friend.

Phil is separated from his wife Stephanie Lowe, whom he married in 1993. They have two daughters together: Molly and Ruby. Phil came out as gay in 2020, but said he still loved his wife and wanted to stay with her. However, his affair with a younger colleague ended their marriage.

Phil will probably try to rebuild his relationship with his wife and his daughters after his confession. He will also try to find happiness and peace with himself, as he has struggled with his sexuality for a long time. He may also look for a new partner, or a new TV project.

Will They Ever Reconcile Their Friendship?

The final question is whether Holly and Phil will ever reconcile their friendship after their split. They were very close for many years, and shared many experiences and memories together. They also supported each other through difficult times, such as Phil’s coming out or Holly’s miscarriage.

However, their friendship was severely damaged by Phil’s lie and betrayal. Holly felt hurt and angry by his actions, while Phil felt guilty and ashamed by his mistake. They both said they loved each other as friends, but they also said they did not want to see each other or talk to each other ever again.

It is possible that they will eventually forgive each other and move on, as they have a long history and a deep bond. They may also miss each other and realize that they still care for each other. They may also have to work together again in the future, or cross paths in the TV industry.

However, it is also possible that they will never reconcile their friendship, as they have been hurt too much and have changed too much. They may also have new friends and new partners who will fill the gap in their lives. They may also avoid each other and cut off all contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we’ll answer some of the most common and interesting questions about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, based on our research and sources.

Are Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield still friends?

No, they are not. They had a fallout in 2022, after Phil lied to Holly about his affair with a younger colleague. They stopped talking to each other and working together, and Phil quit This Morning in 2023. They have not reconciled their friendship since then.

Who is Phillip Schofield’s younger colleague?

Phillip Schofield’s younger colleague is a male ITV employee, whose name has not been revealed to the public. He met Phil when he was a teenager and asked him for advice on how to get into TV. He later worked on This Morning, where he had an on-off relationship with Phil.

How old are Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield?

Holly Willoughby was born on February 10, 1981. She is 42 years old as of 2023. Phillip Schofield was born on April 1, 1962. He is 61 years old as of 2023.

How much do Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield earn?

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are both very successful and wealthy TV personalities. According to various sources, Holly earns around £600,000 per year for hosting This Morning, plus £200,000 for hosting Dancing on Ice, and £400,000 for her clothing line with Marks & Spencer. She also earns money from her book and her podcast. Her estimated net worth is around £10 million.

Phillip Schofield earns around £600,000 per year for hosting This Morning, plus £200,000 for hosting Dancing on Ice, and £1 million for hosting The Cube. He also earns money from his wine business and his autobiography. His estimated net worth is around £12 million.

What are Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s star signs?

Holly Willoughby is an Aquarius, while Phillip Schofield is an Aries. According to astrology, Aquarius and Aries are compatible signs, as they are both adventurous, independent, and creative. They also have a good sense of humour and a strong friendship. However, they can also clash over their differences, as Aquarius is more detached and rational, while Aries is more passionate and impulsive.

Conclusion

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were one of the most popular TV duos in the UK, until their friendship and partnership ended in a shocking scandal. They had a long and successful history together, but they also had a dramatic and painful fallout.

In this blog post, we told you the complete story of Holly and Phil, from their rise to their fall, and their future. We hope you enjoyed reading it and learned something new.

If you have any questions or comments about this topic, feel free to leave them below. We’d love to hear from you!