ITV bosses defend Holly and Phil after backlash over ‘skipping queue’ to Queen

This MorninghostsHolly WilloughbyandPhillip Schofieldpaid their respects to the lateQueen Elizabeth IIas her coffin is Lying-in-State in Westminster Hall on Friday.

Their appearance topay their respects to the Queenat Westminster Hall came as Friday's This Morning was cancelled in favour of rolling ITV news coverage of the Queen.

However, the pair’s visit sparked a huge backlash online when viewers claimed they "skipped" the queue, with many calling for the pair to be "sacked".

Many angry viewers took to social media to share their outrage at Phil, 60, and Holly, 41, "not standing in queue" like the other mourners to pay their respects to her late Majesty.

One person wrote on Twitter: “If indeed @Schofe and @hollywills jumped the queue to file past the Queen’s coffin it should be a matter of never ending shame for them.”

Another added the hashtag #queuejumpers and wrote: “I find that discusting that holly and phil think they don't need to queue like the everyone else, just to make 'popular tv'. Do they think that was all the Queen was? If they got sacked i for one wouldn't care!”

One noted thatcelebrities such as David Beckham and Susanna Reid queued up as they said: “So disgusted at Phil & Holly for using the "celebrity staus" and not queuing like everyone else to see the Queen lying in state – unlike David Beckham & Suzanna Reid !!!!! They should be sacked”.


This sentiment was echoed: “holly willoughby and Philip Schofield should be sacked for their disgraceful queue jumping. Suzanna Reid and David Beckham QUEUED FOR 13 HOURS!!!!”

Another disgruntled Tweeter said: “If Holly and Phil jumped the queue to see Her Majesty the Queen lying in state they should be sacked”.

A Mail Online source said: “They did not get to pay their respects to the Queen in the same way as queuing members of the public but they filmed in a section put aside for press."

OK! has contacted representatives at This Morning for comment.

Following the appearance, This Morning have posted on Instagram Stories: "Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something.

"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."

Their fellow ITV starSusanna, who frontsGood Morning Britain, revealed that shewaited in line with her motherSue for over seven hours before they reached the Queen's coffin to pay their respects.

Susana, 51, described the moment as "majestic and peaceful" and she offered some helpful tips for those who were planning to queue to pay their own respects to the late Monarch.

Taking to Twitter, Susana wrote: "Evening – along with my lovely mum and her very good friend, I have just experienced a moment in history – witnessing the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall. At once majestic and peaceful."

READ MORE:

  • Celebs who have queued to see the Queen's coffin from David Beckham to Holly and Phil

  • Charles and William greet stunned mourners queuing to see Queen Lying-in-State

  • Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield look sombre as pair view Queen's coffin

  • Queen's funeral details and timings confirmed as nation prepares for emotional goodbye

  • For the latest updates on the Royal Family, sign up to OK!'s royals newsletter

Source: Read Full Article