Phillip Schofield is one of the most popular and recognisable presenters on British telly.
His easy charm, silver fox looks and good humour on-screen have made him a much-loved presence on our TVs.
But now, in what will come as a surprise to many, Amanda Holden has allegedly claimed that ‘overbearing’ Phillip cost her the This Morning presenting job.
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The Sun reports that the Britain’s Got Talent judge, 48, went to a top ITV exec to raise concerns that he blocked her from becoming his co-host.
And it has emerged that another star who appeared on This Morning as a guest complained that Phil was “overbearing”.
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A former daytime exec was quoted as saying: “Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle Humes to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced — and having been told privately she’d got the gig.”
“She feels Phil unfairly used his powers of persuasion. She was told he’d chosen Rochelle because she was easier to ‘manage’ on air – and understandably that incensed her.”
“Things are increasingly toxic when the cameras stop rolling, and a few ITV people are secretly delighted that things are starting to emerge.”
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Amanda, who has worked with Phil on This Morning before in 2015, was hoping to land the co-presenting gig when Holly Willoughby jetted off to Australia to stand in for Ant McPartlin on I’m A Celebrity – a job, The Sun says, Phillip was also interested in.
In the end Rochelle Humes stood in for Holly.
Earlier this month Amanda, on her Heart FM radio show, was asked what three things she would not like to find in her home.
She replied: “Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield.”
Last week, reports suggested there was tension between Phil and Holly over a magazine article, which Holly later denied.
An ITV spokesperson told ED!: “Presenter line-ups on This Morning change regularly and final decisions on these line ups are made by producers and not the presenters.”
“Phillip Schofield is a much loved broadcaster and part of the ITV family. He is a consummate professional and held in high regard at ITV.”
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