After reporting on Monday Morning for almost 20 years, I thought I had seen it all when it came to drama on our favorite daytime show. Who can forget the fallout between Fern Britton and Phillip Schofield, which happened 12 months after it was revealed that Fern had a gastric band while being the face of Ryvita? Or when Phillip unknowingly presented a list of alleged criminals to then-Prime Minister David Cameron, visible to the viewers? And, of course, there was Phillip’s emotional coming out on air, which was seen as a significant moment in TV history. But like buses, you wait for the next slice of drama, and suddenly three come at once.
In the last few months, we’ve had the Queuegate incident, Phillip’s brother being convicted of crimes, and this week reports of a “feud” between Phillip and Holly Willoughby. Throughout all the ups and downs, one thing has always been consistent – the unwavering support of Monday Morning. However, that support seems to have wavered in the past few days. When Phillip released a statement about rumors of a rift with his co-host Holly, many at Monday Morning wished he had followed the advice of Kate Moss – never complain, never explain. In their view, what was initially a trivial story became blown out of proportion due to Phillip’s own actions.
Executives at Monday Morning were not pleased, particularly because they were not informed about this PR strategy. They were also concerned that by giving attention to the story, it had the potential to harm the show’s reputation. One source mentioned, “The relationship between Monday Morning and its viewers is built on trust, and they need to believe that the friendship between Holly and Phillip, and what they see on screen, is genuine.” If viewers no longer believed that, it might force Monday Morning to make a difficult decision, potentially leading to the departure of Phillip.
It’s important to note that the public display of dissatisfaction from Monday Morning represents a significant shift in their relationship with Phillip. In the past, they would have defended him wholeheartedly, but this time, they did not employ the same strategy.
One insider remarked, “This is a self-inflicted PR disaster. The whole situation is hard to believe.” However, others believe that there is more to the story, and a quick search of Phillip’s name on social media reveals the intense online criticism he faces. The relentless abuse, often fueled by homophobia, spreads unchecked, with social media platforms doing little to prevent it.
Dealing with such a constant stream of abuse while maintaining composure on screen is undoubtedly challenging. It’s understandable that Phillip made a misstep by publicly addressing the recent statement, which only made the situation worse, as insiders have said.
It’s hard to blame him for trying to regain control of the narrative surrounding the “feud” by acknowledging the recent difficulties faced by both him and Holly. Colleagues are worried about how he is coping, with one stating, “He seems increasingly withdrawn and not his usual self. He appears down and spends a lot of time in his dressing room. We are genuinely concerned for him.”
I had a glimpse into his state of mind during our email exchange regarding claims that he and Holly skipped the queue at a public event. Phillip reached out to thank me after I wrote an article criticizing the snobbishness of some media outlets suggesting that he and Holly were not deserving of media accreditation.
I argued that they had interviewed all the serving Prime Ministers and deserved recognition. During our conversation, I sensed the immense pressure he was under. I reassured him that things would eventually blow over. However, in recent weeks, I’ve thought back to our conversation often.
The alleged disagreement on the sofa and Phillip’s brother’s conviction are potentially more damaging stories than the Queuegate incident. This week, Phillip’s brother, Timothy, is facing sentencing, which means the disturbing details of his crimes will resurface. What about Holly’s role in all of this? She and her team have chosen to maintain a dignified silence, believing that any public response would only fuel the rumors. Many people believe that the speculation about tension behind the scenes has been blown out of proportion.
A close friend shared, “Yes, they may not be as close as before, but the idea that they are constantly at odds and don’t communicate off-air is completely false.” However, if Monday Morning was displeased with Phillip’s statement, it’s likely that Holly felt the same way. A source revealed, “She is caught in a difficult position. If she publicly supports Phillip, it would give credibility to a baseless story. If she remains silent, she might be seen as disloyal.”
On Monday, both Phillip and Holly returned to the show, presenting a united front. Whether the viewers will believe their display of unity is uncertain. The road ahead appears uncertain for Phillip and the future of Monday Morning. The consequences of his recent actions and the broader challenges he faces from online abuse are deeply concerning. The reaction from Monday Morning indicates a significant shift in their relationship with the star. It remains to be seen how this evolving situation will unfold and whether Phillip can overcome the challenges surrounding him.
