HOLLY Willoughby has shrugged off Phillip Schofield calling her “the witch” – with pals claiming the TV star “couldn’t care less”.
The Sun revealed how Phil, 62, created the brutal nickname for his former best friend after they fell out last year amid his departure from This Morning.
Holly, 43, has yet to publicly respond to the comments but those close to the star told The Sun she’d never rise to Phil.
A pal added: “Holly isn’t batting an eyelid at this, it’s like she couldn’t care less.
“Phil is coming across as incredibly bitter.
“Holly knows who her friends are and they’re the people she pays attention to.”
Holly was named as one of Phil’s “three s***s” in our newspaper today – with his friends telling The Sun he could never get over Holly dropping him like a stone when their friendship imploded over his affair at This Morning.
Those close to Holly said she was “vindicated” for distancing herself from Phil after he confirmed he had lied to her about his relationship with a colleague.
After he was sacked from This Morning, Phil sent Holly a message and said: “You’ve brought me down.”
The pair later cut contact and have not been in touch.
Phil complained bitterly during his recent TV return on the Channel 5 show Cast Away that it was bad publicity over his paedophile brother Tim’s crimes that triggered his sacking.
A friend said: “Phil feels that he was sacked because of the bad press around his brother. Everyone knew about Tim’s arrest — including Holly.
“They had a backstage make-up room called The Sanctuary at This Morning, where Phil first assembled trusted pals including Holly and told them, tearfully, about his brother. Holly held his hand and was super-kind.
“She supported Phil and was disgusted by what his brother had done.”
The rift between them spiralled, with Phil later admitting he had lied to Holly about his affair with a younger male colleague.
A friend revealed that Phil was hurt when Holly cut him off, especially after the help he had given her with work. One said: “He feels so betrayed by Holly still.
“As far as he’s concerned he made her career at This Morning. And he got her the I’m A Celebrity hosting job by texting his best pal Dec and saying, ‘Holly would be perfect for this’.
“In Phil’s eyes, Holly repaid his kindness by knifing him. He lied to her and apologised, but she dropped him, despite everything they had been through.
“He’ll never get over what he feels is a betrayal.”
By Mary Gallagher
PHILLIP Schofield has finally returned to the screen after a stormy year and the TV world is buzzing.
The former This Morning legend spent ten days alone on an island where he filmed himself talking to camera for the Channel 5 show, Cast Away.
His wife Steph, and daughters Ruby and Mollie sent him off with an emotional final dinner, before he revealed shocking details about his This Morning departure, his personal life, and his fallout with ITV.
However, some ITV insiders have accused him of lying on the show – after he blamed his brother’s arrest for being sacked from This Morning.
Here are the biggest revelations from the interview:
Drowning in guilt
Schofield admitted that he was overwhelmed with guilt following his public exit from This Morning.
He confessed that the controversy surrounding his affair with a younger colleague consumed him emotionally.
“I was drowning,” Schofield revealed, noting that the backlash was far worse than he had anticipated.
ITV fallout: No contact after he left
The presenter didn’t hold back when discussing his fallout with ITV.
Schofield revealed that he hasn’t had any contact with the channel since he was fired.
Schofield blamed his brother for being fired from his lucrative This Morning and Dancing on Ice gigs.
Despite years as one of ITV’s most high-profile stars, the relationship turned frosty after his scandal made headlines.
He said: “Man alive, people can be fake. They can be so fake.
“With you when it’s all going well and suddenly utter, utter betrayal.
“When the tidal wave washed through and it washed everybody away, the ones that were still standing, they’re the ones that matter.
“And I thought, how many friends do you need?
“I don’t need 200 fake friends. I’ve got 10, 15, friends I would die for, and they would die for me.”
His affair wasn’t illegal
The TV veteran addressed the ongoing talk about his affair, clarifying that, while morally wrong, it wasn’t illegal.
He said the relationship happened between “two consenting adults” and denied any improper conduct while the younger colleague worked on This Morning.
Holly Willoughby silence
Surprisingly, Schofield admitted that his friendship with Holly Willoughby has been effectively over since the scandal broke.
Once daytime TV’s golden duo, Schofield confessed they no longer talk, with Holly keeping her distance ever since the affair hit the headlines.
Toxic work culture? Schofield says “No”
Amid reports of a “toxic” work culture at This Morning, Schofield pushed back against the allegations.
He praised the crew and behind-the-scenes staff, calling it a “wonderful place” to work.
The former host seemed baffled by claims of toxicity, despite his own highly public exit.
Struggling with mental health
Schofield also revealed the emotional toll the past year has taken on his mental health. He admitted to having dark thoughts, sharing, “I didn’t see a way forward.”
He thanked his family and close friends, who have been a lifeline throughout the ordeal.
