Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have addressed reports that they’re enduring a “toxic” rift behind-the-scenes of ITV show This Morning.
Over the weekend, it was reported that the presenting duo’s working relationship had become “strained” in recent months.
While ITV dismissed the claims, which suggested Schofield was “jealous” of Willoughby replacing Ant McPartlin on last year’s series of I’m a Celebrity, both Schofield and Willoughby denied the reports at the press launch for Dancing on Ice.
Schofield told Newsbeat that the insider who made the claim was “mistaken”, adding: “We have such a laugh. We’re best mates – she’s like the sister I never had. I just adore working with her, she’s just perfect.”
Willoughby said: “You couldn’t do the amount of hours of TV that we do with each other without getting on.”
The Sun‘s initial report claimed that Ruth Langsford, who also presents This Morning, had filed an official complaint against “arch manipulator” Schofield.
Earlier this year, Amanda Holden reportedly claimed that Schofield had blocked her from securing several high-profile presenting roles.
Referencing the new report on Monday (9 December), she told listeners of her Heart breakfast show: “There is a tin opener and there’s a can somewhere and other people have found the tin opener. That’s all I’m saying.”
Contestants on this year’s series of Dancing on Ice include Love Island‘s Maura Higgins, former model Caprice Bourret and presenter Trisha Goddard.
