Holly Willoughby back on This Morning with Phillip Schofield on Monday

Revealed: Tensions behind the scenes that could spell the end of Holly and Phil: Future of Schofield’s This Morning career in doubt amid tug of war over presenting staff

• Holly Willoughby is to return to This Morning sofa alongside Philip on Monday
• ITV insiders say some think it’s time for Schofield to step back from the show

Holly Willoughby will tomorrow return to the This Morning sofa alongside Phillip Schofield for the first time in more than a month following a bout of shingles.

Her sick leave meant she missed her co-star’s first day after his own three-week break due to his brother’s convictions for child sex offences.

There will, no doubt, be many smiles for the cameras. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that behind the scenes, a battle is raging over the show’s future – specifically whether to have a reshuffle of presenting staff.

The main issue, say ITV insiders, is what to do with Mr Schofield. Some think it’s time for the 61-year-old to step back after more than two decades presenting the programme after noticing how some of its million-plus viewers appear to have grown tired of him.

As part of their strategy to listen to their audiences, ITV chiefs monitor social media to see how fans are reacting to their stars.

Revealed: Holly Willoughby will be back on the This Morning sofa tomorrow with co-star Phillip Schofield for the first time in more than a month

Popular: Their views have most certainly been exacerbated by the success of Alison Hammond

Not only is there substantial negativity at Mr Schofield, but there are also petitions across the internet asking for the channel to get rid of him.

Their views have been exacerbated by the success of Alison Hammond, who is described by some as the ‘saviour of This Morning’ after she was promoted from its showbusiness interviewer to a main presenter 15 months ago. It has put an idea into the heads of ITV chiefs – to bring a bit of ‘girl power’ to the show.

One source said: ‘It’s a case of both things colliding. Fans say they are over Phil and they love Alison.’

Undeniably, Mr Schofield has his loyalists at the channel – most in the upper echelons. He is also signed to the powerful YMU talent agency which is said to have significant power over ITV.

This Morning’s editor Martin Frizell is perhaps one of his most staunch supporters and is said to have ‘taken several bullets’ for Mr Schofield in recent years.

But increasingly, Ms Hammond is becoming more powerful – particularly as other channels are trying to steal her.

Last month she was unveiled as the new host of The Great British Bake Off, something which ‘blindsided’ ITV chiefs. Ms Willoughby, 42, is also said to ‘adore’ Ms Hammond, 48, while ITV bosses are falling over themselves to show her love – despite some having once dismissed her as the bubbly showbiz girl.

If Mr Schofield were to depart, it would see an end to ‘Holly and Phil’, one of the most famous partnerships on television – or ‘Phil and Holly’, which he is said to prefer.Some staff at ITV were – perhaps unfairly – sceptical of Ms Willoughby’s illness last week, which they say provided ‘perfect timing’ for her not to have to sit next to Mr Schofield when he thanked fans for their support over his painful ordeal at his brother’s convictions. However, sources close to Ms Willoughby insist that she had struggled to shake off the illness until last Friday.

Meanwhile, she has forged a close friendship with Ms Hammond. Not only was she at her birthday party last month (Mr Schofield was notably absent), she has also introduced Ms Hammond to her ‘girl gang’, which includes former Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

Another problem This Morning bosses are facing is losing Josie Gibson, 38, the hugely popular former Big Brother star who is a stand-in presenter, usually paired with Craig Doyle.

She is understood to be getting frustrated at not getting enough air time and is considering her options elsewhere.

Some of the show’s employees have also questioned why Ms Hammond didn’t stand in for Ms Willoughby while she was sick .

Tensions: Undeniably, Mr Schofield has his loyalists at the channel – most in the upper echelons. He is also signed to the powerful YMU talent agency

Presenting: Last month, when Mr Schofield took leave while his brother Timothy was on trial, she joined Ms Willoughby for two days, which ITV bosses saw as a ‘massive triumph’

Last month, when Mr Schofield took leave while his brother Timothy was on trial, Ms Hammond joined Ms Willoughby for two days, which ITV bosses saw as a ‘massive triumph’.

Instead Mr Schofield was last week flanked by Rochelle Humes, 34, the singer-turned-presenter who he insisted covered for Ms Willoughby.

He is thought to favour Ms Humes, perhaps regarding her as more malleable, unlike his other forthright female television partners, which include Fern Britton and Amanda Holden.

And maybe Ms Hammond. Because perhaps the truth is that there isn’t room on the This Morning sofa for both Alison and Phil – or even Phil and Alison.

Source: Read Full Article