This Morning: Holly Willoughby addresses queue jumping claims
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The boss of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby has leapt to their defence after they appeared to “queue jump” at the Queen’s lying-in-state. ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall has fully backed the duo and assured viewers they will be not be stepping down from their roles on This Morning anytime soon.
The boss of ITV did not mince her words when asked about the queuing row involving two of the channel’s biggest stars.
Speaking at the RTS London Convention, the TV chief was asked if the daytime presenters did anything wrong.
She replied: “Honestly, nothing. Honestly. They did have accreditation. Lots of people saying they didn’t.
“They were sent by This Morning to do a piece for 20 September which ran.
Read More: Here’s the real reason Aljaz Skorjanec left Strictly Come Dancing
“They were to interview people inside and outside. They didn’t displace anyone in the queue. And they’ve been very misrepresented, actually.”
Dame Carolyn added: “And that’s why we made a statement. Unusually, we made a statement to say all of those things.
“But it does show you how things spread and how misinformation just spreads. And it is really horrible for them.”
Addressing their future, she clarified: “I think they’re highly relevant and still very topical, and I think the majority of their viewers love watching them.
“It’s hard. You imagine yourself in the eye of the storm like this, where you’re trying to say you’ve done nothing wrong and all the noise around you is saying that you have. It’s difficult to handle.”
The long-running This Morning presenters addressed the highly publicised moment, when they returned to screens following the Queen’s death.
On the show, Holly explained: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall.
“It was strictly for 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 beside the coffin and were given time to pause.”
The under-fire broadcaster summarised: “None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue, and no-one filed past the Queen.”
There has been strong reaction from all corners of the TV landscape and Carolyn will be hoping her staunch defence puts the issue to bed.
However, the comments and criticism are unrelenting at the moment, with even Loose Women panellist and fellow ITV star Janet Street Porter making a sly dig at the pair.
On Loose Women on Tuesday the panellist remarked: “You know I’m at a party with loads of famous people getting into the VIP area – without any queuing.”
The online criticism Holly and Phillip have suffered has gone too far according to Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner.
While speaking at a Labour fringe event during their annual conference, she declared: “I’ve seen it with what was happening with Phillip Schofield and Holly just recently.
“I’ve been worried about them because even though they are celebrities… they are human beings and I just think, ‘wow’.
“The way in which the online attack on them, as a human being to have that, I just think is really damaging.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV and ITV Hub
Source: Read Full Article