This Morning: Holly Willoughby addresses queue jumping claims
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On Tuesday’s instalment of ITV’s This Morning, a pre-recorded message played over footage of the Queen lying in state. Holly, 41, explained why she and Phillip, 60, attended Westminster Hall where Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin was laid, for which members of the public queued for 14-plus hours. She claimed the two walked with other media and press members in order to report on the historic event, insisting “we would never jump the queue”. However, many have rejected the explanation, and thousands continue to sign an official petition asking for the presenters to be axed.
A Change.org petition, set up on Saturday, reads: “Thousands of people are lining up overnight to pay respects to the Queen, where they will likely wait up to 24 hours.
“Yet Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, two hosts of one of the most damaging to mental health day time tv show This Morning, were able to push past those thousands and get immediate access.
“ITV should be ashamed of exploiting the situation. I’d like to see This Morning axed for good as I do believe it causes more harm than good, without people noticing.”
The petition went on: “For example, like turning cost of living anxiety into a game show.
“At the least though, these toxic presenters Holly and Philip should finally be removed from our TV screens.
“They monopolised way too long. If you agree please sign.
“If enough people sign we can show ITV that the public do matter. And these two idiots don’t deserve our time.”
The person behind the campaign added: “PS. It doesn’t matter about your feelings on the monarchy, its about the TV show being toxic and these presenters being given privileges that deprive others, and humiliate their own viewers in the process. In the same way Jeremy Kyle’s show did.” (sic)
At the start of Tuesday’s magazine show, Holly explained: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall.
“It was strictly for the purposes of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.
“The rules were we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back.
“In contrast, those paying respects walked around a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
“None of the journalists or broadcasters there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one passed by the Queen.
“We, of course, respected those rules, however, we realise it may have looked like something else.
“Therefore, (we) totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump a queue.”
An ITV spokesperson also defended the duo, saying last week: “This Morning had press accreditation and like other media, Phillip and Holly were escorted to work from the press gallery by government staff.
“They did not file past The Queen’s coffin. They were there alongside a host of other broadcasters and national press outlets for an item that will be broadcast on Tuesday’s show.
“Any allegations of improper behaviour are categorically untrue.”
Many viewers remained unconvinced of the explanation behind the pair’s actions following the statement, though.
Several accused the apology of being “half-hearted” and “rehearsed”.
This Morning producers also provided a written explanation on Sunday, which the creator of the petition addressed.
They added: “For me, that only means I’m right to have this concern that their TV programming is toxic, monopolising, and pushing through one media narratives.
“I also, despite the level of abuse I’ve received since creating it, still believe it’s harming to peoples mental health, and therefore stand by the decision to petition.
“When you think this show is on five days a week, for practically a whole day, and it gets watched by very vulnerable people. This show isn’t helping them, but serving them. Adding to worries, anxieties, and keeping people stuck at home as opposed to living.”
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
All information regarding the petition is correct at the time of publication.
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