Downcast Holly Willoughby seen for the first time amid Phillip Schofield scandal
Holly Willoughby has been pictured for the first time since Phillip Schofield’s affair admission.
Holly’s This Morning co-host of 13 years, Phillip, 61, resigned from ITV last Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague.
The relationship took place while the TV star was still married to wife Stephanie Lowe and before he came out publicly as gay.
Mum-of-three Holly has been away from This Morning for the past two weeks, having taken an early holiday after news of Phillip’s departure from the show emerged.
The 42 year old is set to return to the couch on Monday, June 5 after the half-term break, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary hosting in her absence.
Holly has now been seen for the first time amid the scandal, pictured on holiday in Portugal with her family.
Visiting a local Portuguese restaurant, Holly is seen surrounded by her family including her children and her mum, Linda.
The star is seen casually dressed as she sits at the table and chats to her loved ones, wearing a cute white patterned knit cardigan and a brown trilby hat.
Her signature blonde hair is worn in a low ponytail, while she also dons dark sunglasses.
The holiday pictures come amid questions about Holly’s return to This Morning – but she is said to have no intention of quitting her hosting duties.
A source told The Sun: “She has made it clear she was one of the people Phil lied to and she has nothing to hide.
“She will return to This Morning as planned on Monday and carry on like the professional she is.
“Holly has been affected by Phil’s actions and it has been very difficult. She is devoted to This Morning, however, and will continue to do the best job she can for them.”
Following Phillip’s statement and admission about his affair, Holly wrote on Instagram that it had “taken time to process yesterday’s news.”
The 42 year old wrote: “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.”
Eamonn Holmes – who used to host This Morning on Fridays with wife Ruth Langsford – has said that Holly should follow Phillip “out the door” of This Morning.
Speaking on Dan Wootton’s GB News show on Monday evening, Eamonn said: “Not only should Phillip go, but Holly should follow him close out the door.
“I don’t think you will ever see Holly Willoughby back on the couch.
“There are people who say for her it’s not about what Phillip did, for her it’s not about protecting the young fellow involved or whatever.
“There are people who are financial experts who will say this is about brand protection with her. She’s got her company and she’s got advertising deals, which suspiciously looks like she’s trying to distance herself from Phillip to protect those.”
Eamonn also accused Holly of being “distant” on This Morning and not knowing the names of crew members.
Blasting Phillip’s statement which hit back at claims of “toxicity” on This Morning, Eamonn instead accused Phil of creating a difficult environment on set.
“I think that Phillip is absolutely right about toxicity,” he said.
“But, my friend, the toxicity is not with me, Dan Wootton, or anyone else. The toxicity is with you.”
He said Phillip “created an atmosphere” on This Morning “where people hated him”.
He said: “This nonsense that he wrote today about toxicity, about how (This Morning) is a happy place or whatever, holy God, what planet does this man live on?
“He created an atmosphere where people hated him. People would avoid him in the corridor. He didn’t look at anybody, didn’t know anybody’s name.
“Holly doesn’t know people’s names either. This is legendary within the production team, how distant they are and how they just don’t care.”
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