Phillip Schofield has been labeled the “monster of daytime TV” by a relationship expert who appeared regularly on This Morning.
Louise Van Der Velde, who has appeared on the show to offer love life advice, launched a blistering attack on Phil, 61, on Tuesday after he put up a united front with Holly Willoughby, 42, amid their ongoing feud.
Appearing on GB News, relationship guru Louise called for Phil to be fired, saying she found him “arrogant” and “fake”.
She told host Dan Wootton, “My outlook has always been, when I’m working, to be respectful to people and you basically expect the same treatment in return.
“With Phil, he’s like this monster from daytime TV. He is rude, people have to sit still and talk when spoken to – it’s just a very aggressive attitude.
Searing assault: Phillip Schofield has been branded the ‘monster of daytime TV’ by a relationship expert who has appeared regularly on This Morning
‘He’s fake’: Relationship guru LouiseeVan Der Velde appeared on GB News calling for Phil’s firing, saying she found him ‘arrogant’ and ‘fake’ in her experience
“As nice as I’ve been, he’s been arrogant. He’s all nice and all smiles for the camera and jolly…
“But honestly he’s fake and it’s about time he busted.”
Van Der Velde, a sex therapist known as the Pleasure Professor, is a regular on daytime TV and has appeared as a panellist on Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 and Lorraine on ITV and many other TV shows.
Louise said that while she found Phillip judgmental, Holly was “warm” and “sister.”
She said, “I expect to be challenged and don’t mind a little controversy. But he’s a judge.
“I’ve been on that show many, many times. I am talking about honesty, integrity and alignment in relationships. I’m talking about people having affairs – that’s a big topic of mine.
He frowned at me and looked down his nose at me with his judgmental attitude.
“I think it’s about time he left this privileged position and it’s definitely not Holly who should go.
Advice: Van Der Velde, a sex therapist known as the Pleasure Professor, is a regular on daytime TV (pictured on This Morning with Vanessa Feltz)
Opinion: “He glared at me and looked down at me with his judgmental attitude,” she said
Shake-up: Phil is reportedly facing firing from This Morning during the summer shake-up, while Holly is said to be considering leaving the show
“She is beautiful, warm and sisterly. I don’t know how Holly put up with him for so long.’
MailOnline has reached out to Phil’s representatives for comment.
Phillip is trying to put an end to the ongoing feud after it emerged he had brought in his own lawyers over the argument with his co-host, sources have revealed. He has also hired a new PR man to improve his press coverage.
Phillip and Holly have yet to discuss their on-air feud and have continued to air their show as usual – despite losing 170,000 viewers in a week.
Figures showed that Monday’s episode was watched by an average of 726,720 people, compared to 894,000 on the same day last week. Peak viewership was also significantly down to 914,000 compared to 1.058 million on May 8.
The duo, on the other hand, attracted 1.3 million viewers for their Christmas show in 2022 and averaged 1.4 million in the first four weeks of 2021.
Senior figures at ITV called a crisis meeting following a flurry of negative feedback on social media about Monday’s show.
After seeing the backlash on Twitter, with viewers watching both Holly and Phillip, ITV bosses are pondering what to do next.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘Social media is used as a barometer to see what the public thinks. Those responsible were under no illusions that it was a total disaster.
It was painful for the This Morning team to work on it and just as painful for them to watch.
‘There was a meeting afterwards to discuss how things were going, that had been going on for a while. Honestly, everyone was so relieved it was over, but even if the show goes on for a while, it’s going to be a huge headache.”
Brand expert Mark Borkowski, also interviewed on Dan Wootton Tonight, said it was time for ITV to revamp This Morning.
He said, “This combination doesn’t feel authentic. Maybe it’s time for a reboot of This Morning.
“There are a whole host of people who could take over the reins of this show.”
Louise was then asked by Dan if she would boycott the show while Schofield remained as presenter.
Van Der Velde, who appeared on Real Housewives of Cheshire last month and gave sex and relationship tips to stars including Atomic Kitten legend Natasha Hamilton, responded, “Absolutely. I am one of the thickest skinned people in the world, but the fact is he (Schofield) is rude and arrogant and flattering and so disrespectful.
Everyone should boycott that show as far as I’m concerned.
“Holly should leave him. It’s really bad for her brand.’
Louise still appears regularly on TV and has launched a successful events company, Future Love Events, with other business gurus and life coaches.
They are hosting a five-day extravaganza from May 24-28 during the Cannes Film Festival featuring top DJs, beach and yacht parties and a trip to the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix.