Mail Online

The unvarnished full story – by Katie Hind, the MoS reporter Phil lied to

Learning the truth was ‘hurtful’ says Willoughby, as she vows to stay on the This Morning sofa

By Katie Hind CONSULTANT EDITOR SHOWBUSINESS

HOLLY WILLOUGHBY last night said Phillip Schofield directly lied to her over his affair with a young colleague – and spoke of her hurt at discovering the truth.

The presenter is said to have been left ‘extremely upset’ by the revelations about her former friend, with whom she shared the This Morning sofa for 13 years.

And in a statement yesterday, the 42-year-old said: ‘It’s taken time to process yesterday’s news.

‘When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.’

Her statement, released on Instagram, followed social media speculation about whether she was aware of her former co-host’s relationship with the production assistant while they all worked together on This Morning – and questions about her future on the ITV programme. However she is said to have ‘no plans’ to leave.

Friends of Ms Willoughby told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Holly didn’t know about this and she is very upset to have learned the truth. She has been lied to as well. It has all been very traumatic for her and a time of real

‘It has been a traumatic and sad time for Holly’

sadness. Phil was her very close friend, they shared so much time together, had so many laughs and supported one another through difficult times. This is all a shock.’

The source added that Ms Willoughby ‘has absolutely no plans to leave This Morning. She loves the show and she is looking forward to going back when she is back from her half-term break.’

She is currently halfway through two weeks of leave, taken to avoid the limelight and ‘get her head together’ following her row with Schofield and his departure from the programme, which led to the revelations about his private life.

Ms Willoughby was extremely close to 61-year-old Schofield and his wife, Stephanie Lowe, but they fell out when he didn’t tell her about his brother Timothy’s trial in March. He was convicted on 11 counts of sexual offences involving a child and was jailed for 12 years.

The co-stars had previously holidayed together, and have luxurious

villas next to each other in Portugal. Along with her TV producer husband Dan Baldwin, Ms Willoughby has spent weekends with the Schofields and was close to his daughters Molly and Ruby.

They have published pictures across social media of themselves downing shots and posing in the sunshine, with Schofield describing Ms Willoughby as his ‘bestie’.

He also described her as ‘my rock’ when reports of their feud emerged earlier this month. Ms Willoughby

had no idea that statement was coming until she saw it online.

But until last night the presenter had remained silent since publishing a 39-word statement after Schofield’s sudden departure from This Morning last weekend. Then she wrote on Instagram: ‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’

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2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/281590949939979

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