Holly Willoughby’s so-called feud with long-time boyfriend Phillip Schofield reportedly began three years ago, after she cut ties with their talent agencies.
It comes amid reports that This Morning’s co-hosts are ‘not as close as they once were’ and barely speak off-camera now.
But as the feud continues without any sign of the presenters resigning, it has been revealed that the rift may have started three years ago, when Holly began to “quietly distance herself” from her old boyfriend.
It is also thought that Phillip was annoyed when Holly got a job filling in for Ant McPartlin as host of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018.
Holly, 42, and Phillip, 61, plan to take a week off for half term before returning to the program on Monday, June 5, according to The sun.
More suspense: The feud between Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield is believed to have started three years ago now (pictured on This Morning on Thursday)
Dispute: The rift is believed to have come about due to differences over their celebrity talent management (pictured pre-feud days in 2019)
The Daily Mail has also exclusively revealed that Holly has now drafted Alison Hammond as Philip’s replacement – and ITV thought they would agree.
The now strained relationship between the pair reportedly first started through their celebrity talent management agencies.
The co-stars were once part of the same management – YMU Group – before Holly split from them to start her own agency Roxy Management.
However, her relationship with her old management became fraught when they became embroiled in a legal battle over her future earnings.
The case was settled out of court, with Holly making £1 million off them.
Phillip, on the other hand, has chosen to stay with them and is even a shareholder, starting a series of divisions between the two.
According to The sunhe is said to earn £1 million from them and is a ‘big player’ in the group.
A source told the newspaper: “Holly started to quietly distance herself from Phil in 2020. The legal troubles dragged on for 18 months, but Holly fought for what was right.
Time off: Holly, 42, and Phillip, 61, plan to take a week off for half term before returning to the program on Monday, June 5, according to reports
“In the end, Phil chose to stay and Holly chose to leave. It wasn’t easy then.”
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield for comment.
Even earlier, in 2018, it was common knowledge that Phillip was “exasperated” after Holly was chosen to replace Ant McPartlin as co-host of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here with Declan Donnelly.
While continuing to host This Morning with no Holly, Phillip admitted that he wishes he hosted the jungle show as well.
This only increased Holly’s success as a breakaway star from her former best friend Phil.
She became the presenter of Take Off With Bradley & Holly on BBC1 and launched her own lifestyle brand Wylde Moon in 2021.
Profitable partnerships followed for the presenter, including with Marks and Spencer, which reportedly earned her £950,000.
Phil has tried launching his own side projects – such as the gameshow The Cube on ITV – but time and time again they have failed to take off.
Substitution: It’s now clear that Holly wants Phil to leave and Alison Hammond (pictured) steps in
Following the Queuegate scandal – which further highlighted the rift in their friendship – Phillip was dropped from his deal with WeBuyAnyCar.
The first signs of a feud were previously thought to have started in September, when the pair faced criticism for not lining up for the Queen’s Lying in State.
Phillip is believed to be jealous of his co-star since he was the bigger name when they first teamed up in 2009.
Holly has now severed all ties with Phil except for her obligations to This Morning.
It comes as Phillip’s pedophile brother Timothy was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of a host of child crimes, including molesting a teenage boy.
Meanwhile, leading bookmakers have revealed the odds of both Holly and Phillip being replaced on This Morning.
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power revealed the odds of Phillip leaving This Morning by placing him at 2/1, while they placed his co-host Holly at 4/1.
Meanwhile, William Hill had a 4/1 chance that Holly could leave This Morning before June, which also gave her a 6/1 chance that she could take a new job at Loose Women.
She is on 10/1 to land hosting duties on Strictly Come Dancing and the bookmaker also predicted a 20/1 chance for her to present I’m A Celebrity.
William Hill spokesman Lee Phelps said: ‘There seems to be plenty to suggest Holly Willoughby’s time on This Morning is coming to an end and we’re offering 4/1 that she leave her role by the end of the month.
“Holly will certainly be popular when she leaves and we think Love Island and Loose Women (both 6/1) and Strictly (10/1) will be on the agenda.”