Holly Willoughby is reportedly “devastated” over the backlash she’s received for “skipping the queue” with Philip Schofield to visit Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin.
The popular presenters faced a lot of criticism after they were spotted in a separate line to thousands of mourners who waited hours to view the late British monarch lying in state at Westminster Hall on Friday.
Social media users slammed the pair for not waiting in the main queue like other celebrities, such as David Beckham and Susanna Reid.
A petition to have Holly and Phil fired from This Morning has now surpassed 20,000 signatures, as it makes the rounds on social media.
An ITV source has since told The Sun that Holly won’t quit her hosting role over the backlash.
“She has been devastated by all the negative reaction after she turned up to work at Westminster Hall with Phil on Friday, but she’s not going to resign,” the insider said.
“This Morning has been her life for more than a decade and the only way she’d consider quitting at this stage is if viewers really didn’t want her there.”
“She’s tried to give their side of the story on the show today and they’re both hoping to move on from it now,” the source continued.
“Bosses know Holly is still a hit with viewers and are counting on her working her magic on the show for a good while yet.”
The news comes after Piers Morgan addressed the online petition to have Holly and Philip fired from This Morning.
He said: “All hell broke loose about this, they have been subject to, I think, a ridiculously over-the-top campaign.”
“20,000 people have signed a petition to have them fired. Of course they shouldn’t be fired, it’s ridiculous,” Piers continued.
“It may have been a misjudgement. I said myself on this show, I don’t think anyone should have been jumping the queue full stop, whoever you are, unless you are a world leader and there is a time issue.”
Holly addressed the backlash against herself and Philip on Tuesday’s episode of This Morning.
She said: “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 haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.”
“The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause,” the 41-year-old explained.
“None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one filed passed 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.”
After playing this clip of Holly, Piers added: “Full disclosure, I am a good friend with Holly and I feel very sorry, she is absolutely distraught I think about the reaction.”
