Phillip Schofield praises co-host Holly Willoughby as his ‘rock’

Phillip Schofield has hailed his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby as his “rock” amid reports the pair’s relationship has come under strain.

The presenter recently returned to the show after taking pre-planned leave around his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month.

The Sun previously reported the absence had contributed to a “cooling” of their friendship.

But in a statement, Schofield, 61, told the paper: “As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.

Dancing On Ice 2020
Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield (Ian West/PA)

“The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”

In April his younger brother Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.

Willoughby, 42, was also ill and took time off This Morning.

Schofield added: “My family went through a real ordeal, and Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me – as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.

“And of course Holly has herself been ill with shingles.

“Whatever happens, we still have each other to count on.”

National Television Awards 2022 – London
Dermot O’Leary, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, Nik Speakman and Alison Hammond  after winning the daytime award for This Morning at the National Television Awards 2022 (Ian West/PA)

Schofield and Willoughby, who also present ITV’s Dancing On Ice together, have become firm favourites with the public.

In October Schofield thanked viewers after This Morning took home the daytime prize at the National Television Awards, saying: “This means so much to us every year, especially this year.”

It came after the co-hosts had  faced criticism over claims they skipped the queue for the Queen’s lying in state.

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