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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Tom Bryant

ITV rallies to support Holly and Phil amid 'relentless backlash' over Queuegate

ITV are rallying around distraught This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield amid "real and serious" concerns over the pair's "relentless" trolling.

Channel bosses have pledged their full support to the duo who were falsely accused of skipping the queue to see the Queen lying in state.

And sources close to Holly says she has no intention of stepping aside from a job she loves as her and Phil weather the storm.

A TV source said: "The abuse has been nothing short of disgusting, not least as they have done nothing wrong and were fully entitled to media accreditation so they could inform their viewers.

"There is huge, real and serious concerns over their wellbeing and ITV are fully supporting them behind the scenes in the face of such relentless trolling. The channel backs them 110 per cent."

ITV are said to be rallying around Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield amid recent backlash (ITV)

Sources say that Holly and Phill have felt reassured by ITV's stance, and dismissed rumours that Holly could even quit the show, or that her job was in peril.

The source added: "She adores her job and would never quit. The whole experience has been totally brutal but one thing has remained constant, and that’s been ITV’s unwavering support."

On Tuesday the pair said on the show they would "never jump a queue" after they appeared inside Westminster Hall on Friday without taking part in the public line.

During a special episode reflecting on the days since the Queen's death, Holly said in a voiceover: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall.

"It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who have not been able to visit Westminster in person.

The pair attracted criticism when they were spotted visiting Westminster Hall last week (ITV)

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"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respect walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.

"None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one filed past the Queen. We of course respected those rules.

"However, we realise that it may have looked like something else, and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump a queue."

The Mirror told this week how the last few days "had taken a huge emotional toll on both Holly and Phil", adding: "They have been left distraught."

Yesterday pals said the experience had only made the pair closer. A source said: "They are very much in this together, and will get through it."

This Morning however confirmed that they had been filming a segment for the show and hadn't jumped the queue to see the Queen lying in state (ITV)

This Morning previously addressed the visit in a statement posted on Instagram on Saturday, saying: "We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday's programme.

"They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state - but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event."

Some media and MPs were able to bypass the queue and access Westminster Hall during the roughly four-day lying in state.

Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid, 51, and David Beckham, 47, were among the famous faces who joined the public queue.

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