Following Phillip Schofield‘s departure from This Morning, Amanda Holden has made what can only be described as the least subtle jab.
Phil, 61, confirmed on Saturday (May 20) that he is leaving the ITV daytime programme with ‘immediate effect’ after 13 years co-presenting with Holly Willoughby, 41.
His resignation follows many reports of a “rift” between the two, with insiders alleging they now “barely speak” behind the scenes and their bond has “dwindled.”
While Amanda, 52, has previously presented the event alongside Phil and is also a member of the ITV family on series such as Britain’s Got Talent, fans believe she has cut him off after his declaration.
Amanda moved to Instagram shortly after Phil’s speech to publish a simple photograph of the flexed bicep emoji with a black backdrop.
Although the sign is evidently regularly used to celebrate or express triumph, the post had no caption.
View this post on Instagram
Plus, Amanda’s followers picked up what she seemed to be putting down.
‘I’m gettin the popcorn 🤣🤣’, one follower joked.
‘AMANDA THE SHADE THE SHADE’, another commented.
‘No Holden Back for sure – YES AMANDA 💪🏽’, another wrote.
‘I’m lost 😂 had no idea they had issues’, one individual added.
Well, there were actually reports of a feud between Phil and Amanda when she stepped in to host as Holly filmed I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018.
A former TV executive once said in an interview with The Sun: ‘Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle Humes to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced — and having been told privately she’d got the gig.
‘She feels Phil unfairly used his powers of persuasion. She was told he’d chosen Rochelle because she was easier to ‘manage’ on air – and understandably that incensed her.’
However, Phil was quick to respond, tweeting: ‘The end of another really sad weekend. When you try for 35 years to be the easiest, most fun person to work with and you read such hurtful and wildly untrue stories from nameless “sources”.
‘Obviously I’ll take it on the chin..I just hope you know me better.’
An official ITV spokesperson also rubbished the claims: ‘Presenter line-ups on This Morning change regularly. Final decisions are made by producers, not presenters.
‘Phillip is a much-loved broadcaster and part of the ITV family. He’s a consummate professional. Amanda is also held in high regard as a judge on one of our biggest shows.’
Amanda, on the other hand, was not one to let things go and did not mince words when asked what three items she would not want to find in her house.
She replied: ‘Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield.’
ITV has continued to sing Phil’s praises following his exit from This Morning this weekend, having already made his final appearance on the show.
Phil said in a statement: ‘I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning.
‘But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
‘Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
‘I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
‘So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
‘I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.’
After Phil’s initial post, Holly released her own statement, thanking Phil for ’13 great years’ and saying the show ‘won’t be the same’ without him.
Meanwhile, ITV’s Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, hailed Phil ‘one of the best broadcasters of his generation’, thanking him for his ‘two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa.’
