Nadine Dorries has slammed This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield, accusing him of having a ‘fake’ connection with Holly Willoughby.
The couple, who began hosting the ITV daytime series together in 2009, were in recent weeks claimed to be ‘barely speaking’ behind-the-scenes and that their relationship had ‘cooled’.
As rumours circulated, Phil, 61, and Holly, 42, maintained a united face on the This Morning couch, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary filling in for their customary Friday stint.
On Saturday, Phil announced his departure, only days after rumours that he was’refusing to quit This Morning,’ as one insider described the situation as a ‘runaway train that cannot be halted,’ despite himself asserting that he and Holly are’still the best of friends’.
Holly, who is having an early half-term break, will now continue This Morning alongside other members of the crew, with Alison and Dermot taking over in the meantime.
Former culture secretary Nadine has launched another stinging assault on Phil, accusing him of ‘intimidating conduct’ and stating he’scares’ her.
She wrote: ‘Holly, get a grip. You should admit the truth: that you could not bear to fake it a day longer sitting next to Phillip.
‘Schofield has a track record of making enemies and upsetting people with whom he has worked, from Fern Britton to Ruth Langsford.’
Writing in her Daily Mail column, she said: ‘Sorry, but I don’t feel a shred of pity for him.
‘In the end, as my grandmother used to say, it all comes out in the wash.
‘I doubt we have heard the last of the Schofield saga, no matter how many times he attempts to clean up his image.
‘What I am sure of, though, is that in due course we will know more about what was really going on — and why, after more than 20 years, Schofield left the show so suddenly.’
The 65-year-old elsewhere continued by saying Phil was ‘always looking in vain for the “gotcha” moment: the clip that would go viral and propel him and his ego to the top of the day’s news.’
Addressing reports that Phil is ‘broken’ since his departure, she added: ‘Schofield dug his heels in until the very end, refusing to leave.’
Announcing his departure, Phil wrote at the time: ‘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.’
Phil’s statement continued: ‘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.’
Holly added in a statement: ‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.
‘The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.
