Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield queue row LATEST: Tens of thousands sign petition to axe This Morning hosts | The Sun
TENS of thousands of Brits are demanding the hosts of This Morning are sacked as the row over queue jumping to see the Queen rages on.
ITV stars and This Morning hosts Holly Willouhby 41, and co-host Phillip Schofield, 60, were accused of seemingly jumping the queue in front of thousands of Brits waiting to see the Queen lying in state.
A change.org petition to remove the duo, titled Axe Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from TV, has collected more than 54,000 signatures, with creator Laura Harrison saying: "ITV should be ashamed of exploiting the situation. I'd like to see This Morning axed for good as I do believe it causes more harm than good, without people noticing."
After social media erupted in response to the footage the under fire presenters broadcast a segment addressing online claims they were "too posh to queue" in Westminster Hall last Friday.
Speaking over a montage of people lining up to see the coffin, Holly said the pair entered Westminster Abbey as "accredited broadcasters", adding: "It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions who weren't able to visit in person."
Read our Holly & Phil live blog below for the latest updates…
- Henry Moore
'One of the most profound moments of my life," says Phil
Phillip Schofield described seeing Her Majesty's coffin as a life-changing event.
A clip followed from outside Westminster Hall as Phil reflected on his visit and said: "That's got to be one of the most profound moments of my life."
- Henry Moore
Source discusses tense atmosphere on This Morning set
A source has told the Sun that "you can cut the atmosphere with a knife" on the This Morning set, following accusations that the pair skipped the queue to see Her Majesty the Queen lying in state.
They explained: “You can cut the atmosphere with a knife backstage.
“Phillip and Holly are furious about the backlash they’re getting and are blaming everyone else for what’s happened.
“The mood is awful behind the scenes and this isn’t going away. Everyone hopes it blows over soon."
- Henry Moore
Fans claim Holly is 'not herself' following queue controversy
Fans were concerned for Holly while watching yesterday's episode of This Morning.
One viewer tweeted: "Holly looks like she's been crying all night."
Another said: "Holly has never been so quiet. I don’t envy anyone in the public eye."
As a third remarked: "Holly completely Not Herself."
"Is Holly ok? She’s not looking herself?" another fan wanted to know.
Click here to read more.
- Henry Moore
Fans defend Holly and Phil
Some fans have taken to Twitter to defend the iconic pair after they were accused of jumping the queue to see Her Majesty's lying in state, while some Brits waited a staggering 25 hours.
One fan said: "Omg give it a rest people! There are more important things going on in the world than Holly and Phil! How about go out and GET A LIFE!"
Currently, a petition to get the pair axed from This Morning has 55,000 signatures.
- Henry Moore
Vernon Kay and Rochelle Humes 'favourites' to replace Holly and Phil following queue row
Bookies have said Rochelle, 33, and Vernon, 48, are the most likely, 2/1, to replace Holly and Phil should the petition to have them AXED succeed.
A William Hill spokesperson, Tony Kenny, said: “They have been mainstays of the show for well over a decade but there have been plenty of calls for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby to leave This Morning after the controversy around the royal queue.
“With that in mind, we’ve priced up possible replacements with Vernon Kay and Rochelle Humes the early favourites at 2/1 ahead of Dermot O’Leary and Josie Gibson at 4/1.”
Click here to read more.
- Henry Moore
This Morning axes fan-favourite segment following queue controversy
This Morning has once again axed the Spin to Win segment on today's show.
The segment sees fans call in and win prizes by spinning a wheel.
One frustrated viewer said: "Still no spin to win."
Another mocked the show and said: "can you win a place at a funeral on Spin to Win."
A third said: "Still no Spin To Win tomorrow."
This comes just days after Brits accused Holly and Phil of skipping the queue to see Her Majesty's coffin.
Click here to read more.
- Joseph Gamp
Petition passes 55,000 signatures
A chang.org petition to axe Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield from TV has now passed 55,000 signatures.
It comes as the This Morning duo face public backlash after being accused of skipping the line at the Queen's lying in state.
But ITV have defended the pair, who also argued they were present at Westminster Abbey as "accredited broadcasters".
- Henry Moore
What does the petition say?
A petition to AXE Holly and Phil from TV currently has over 55,000 signatures, following accusations that the pair jumped the queue to see Her Majesty's coffin.
Here is what the petition on Change says: "Thousands of people are lining up overnight to pay respects to the Queen, where they will likely wait up to 24 hours.
"Yet Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield… were able to push past those thousands and get immediate access.
"I'd like to see This Morning axed for good as I do believe it causes more harm than good, without people noticing.
"If you agree please sign. If enough people sign, we can show ITV that the public do matter. And these two idiots don't deserve our time."
- Henry Moore
Source claims Holly has been 'left out to dry' following queue controversy
A source has told the Sun that Holly Willoughby has been "left out to dry" by This Morning bosses, following allegations that she and Phil jumped the queue to see Her Majesty's coffin.
The source said: “She feels like she has been left out to dry by ITV in some aspects and is understandably very angry.
“She has been incredibly loyal and is devoted to This Morning but the handling of this situation has been very difficult for her. It has been tense between them.
“Holly is arguably facing the most troubling time in her career and she needs to be supported. She has definitely been left smarting by what has gone on.”
- Henry Moore
What have Holly and Phil said?
Holly and Phil have denied any wrongdoing, following allegations that they skipped the queue to see Her Majesty's lying in state.
In her defence, Holly said: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall.
"It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.
"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
"None of the broadcasters and journalists took anyone's places in the queue and no one filed past the Queen.
"We of course respected those rules however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore we totally understand the reaction.
"Please know that we would never jump a queue."
- Henry Moore
Holly 'will not quit', despite public anger
A source has confirmed to the Sun, that This Morning's Holly Willoughby will NOT quit the show, despite allegations that she skipped the queue to see Her Majesty's lying in state.
"Holly will not quit," the source said.
"She has been devastated by all the negative reaction after she turned up to work at Westminster Hall with Phil on Friday, but she's not going to resign.
"This Morning has been her life for more than a decade and the only way she'd consider quitting at this stage is if viewers really didn't want her there.
"She's tried to give their side of the story on the show today and they're both hoping to move on from it now.
"Bosses know Holly is still a hit with viewers and are counting on her working her magic on the show for a good while yet."
- Henry Moore
Piers Morgan defends Holly and Phil
Piers Morgan has come to the defence of Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
"All hell broke loose about this, they have been subject to, I think, a ridiculously over-the-top campaign," he said.
"20,000 people have signed a petition to have them fired. Of course they shouldn't be fired, it's ridiculous."
Piers continued: "It may have been a misjudgement. I said myself on this show, I don't think anyone should have been jumping the queue full stop, whoever you are, unless you are a world leader and there is a time issue."
- Henry Moore
Why are people annoyed?
Some Brits are annoyed at the iconic pair of TV hosts due to their appearance in Her Majesty's lying in state queue.
Holly and Phil allegedly "jumped the queue" while other stars such as David Beckham waited with other Brits.
Currently, a petition to have them axed from ITV's This Morning has 54,000 signatures.
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