Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield break silence on 'jumping Queen's queue' as This Morning viewers slam explanation | The Sun

HOLLY Willoughby and Phillip Schofield returned to This Morning after they were accused of jumping the queue to see the Queen lying in state.

The This Morning presenters hosted the ITV programme today after Monday's episode was cancelled to make room for coverage of the Queen's funeral.



The presenting duo revealed Tuesday's episode would include coverage of the Queen's historic state funeral and period of mourning.

During a montage of moments from the past 11 days, Holly, 42, told viewers: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall. It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.

"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast those paying respects walked along a carpeted area inside the coffin and were given time to pause.

"None of the broadcasters and journalists took anyone's places in the queue and no one filed past the Queen. 

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"We of course respected those rules however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore we totally understand the reaction.

"Please know that we would never jump a queue."

Other clips showed This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary visiting the floral display at Green Park and Buckingham Palace.

Holly and Phil went to see the Queen lying in state without joining the long queue like David Beckham and Susanna Reid on Friday.

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ITV insisted they "did not file past the Queen's coffin" on Friday but were being escorted to work from the press gallery by government staff.

Despite being eligible to enter Westminster Hall without joining the public queue viewers demanded that Holly and Phil address the backlash on the ITV show.

Since Friday TV stars Susanna, Huw Edwards, Eamonn Holmes, Fern Britton and Neil Jones have made subtle digs at Holly and Phil across TV, Twitter and Instagram.

Meanwhile, a petition to axe the pair has soared in signatures since Friday.

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