This Morning axe petition hits 13,000 signatures ahead of show return
The petition calling for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield to be axed from This Morning has received over 13,000 signatures, following claims the presenters appeared to jump the queue to see the Queen lying in state.
Following the death of the late monarch, mourners lined the streets in their thousands to pay their respects at London’s Westminster Hall before her funeral on Monday September 19.
Celebrities including Susanna Reid and David Beckham also joined the lengthy queue that trailed across London.
Among them were the daytime TV duo, who looked sombre as they entered the hall on Friday September 16 to view the coffin.
An ITV source told Metro.co.uk that the hosts were there as credited members of the press, filming for Tuesday’s episode of This Morning.
It was also reported that This Morning bosses were even holding ‘crisis talks’ over whether to include the segment during Tuesday’s instalment.
A petition on Change.org called for the long-running daytime programme to be cancelled and branded the show ‘damaging.’
So far, the petition has garnered 13,956 signatures, with organisers determined to reach the 15,000 mark.
In response to the speculation, This Morning shared a statement on their Instagram page.
‘Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something’, they began.
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Queen Elizabeth II dead: Latest updates
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‘We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.
‘They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event’.
Several stars have weighed in over the controversy with BBC broadcaster Huw Edwards throwing a subtle swipe at the pair.
‘There have been quite a few familiar faces in the queue for that lying in state at Westminster Hall,’ he began.
‘We did of course see a certain David Beckham there on Friday. He was widely praised for queueing for hours and hours, not jumping the queue because he’s a superstar VIP.’
Elsewhere, The Chase’s Anne Hegerty defended the presenters and believed they were there for work purposes.
Replying to various tweets, she wrote: ‘When you work, it’s a gig. When you get paid for that work, it’s a paid gig,’ and in a separate tweet she added: ‘You’re all being extremely rude.’
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
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