AMANDA Holden has praised the eight ITV presenters and Ruth Langsford who made complaints against This Morning’s Phillip Schofield.
The Heart FM radio DJ, who famously fell out with Schofield after accusing him of getting her fired from the ITV morning show, was asked about the recent revelations that a civil war is brewing as a series of presenters are unhappy about the host’s attitude behind the scenes.
As Ashley Roberts referenced the ongoing drama during her showbiz bulletin on Monday, host Jamie Theakston said: If only we had someone here who could shed some light…”
Amanda then laughed and added: “Jamie, listen, I have drawn a line… all I will say is I admire anyone who sticks up for themselves as it’s not an easy thing to do.
“There is a tin opener and a can somewhere, and other people have found the opener.”
In 2018 it was revealed that the Britain’s Got Talent judge, 48, believed Schofield, 57, was behind her missing out on the coveted role after Holly Willoughby was drafted in to cover I’m A Celebrity.
She was left “shocked when she was taken out to lunch by ITV executives who told her that unfortunately they couldn’t follow through with the offer” to work on the hit magazine show.
“During the lunch they let slip they thought the decision had been heavily influenced by Phil and that he had thrown a spanner in the works,” the insider told The Sun.
Rochelle Humes was later called in to replace Holly.
The Sun disclosed that the show’s Friday presenter Langsford has made an official complaint against Schofield while eight other ITV presenters have spoken to us about what they describe as a “toxic” environment at This Morning.
One household name said: “For so long people have been silenced because they are scared for their job. If they speak out publicly about the atmosphere they fear there could be repercussions.”
Langsford’s complaint follows an incident in April which saw Schofield rudely interrupt her while she was presenting a preview of Loose Women during an episode of This Morning.
His professional relationship with close friend Willoughby has also become strained in recent months, with their most recent bust-up was over his apparent jealousy when she won a Bafta in May for I’m A Celebrity where she had filled in for Ant McPartlin.
He didn’t want her to celebrate the win on This Morning and ITV source revealed: “Phillip was furious. He didn’t want Holly mentioning her triumph when they reunited on This Morning.
“It felt very petty and bitter for someone who is his close friend. But it felt like he was jealous.”
Tune in to Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden weekdays from 06:30 – 10:00.
