Holly Willoughby was once the shining star of ITV, fronting two of its biggest shows –This Morning and Dancing on Ice.
However, with ITV confirming that Dancing on ice will not return, Holly finds herself without a show on the channel for the first time in 21 years.
On Thursday Holly took to social media to share a heartfelt post reminiscing about her journey on the show.
However, she noticeably omitted any mention of her former co-host, Phillip Schofield, in both her statement and series of images she posted from over the years.
Holly wrote, ‘A huge thank you to @itv, the brilliant team, crew, celebrities and everyone, who has been part of our Dancing on Ice family over the last 19 years.’
For the unversed, ITV confirmed that the show will not be returning to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The show most recently hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern has been put on an indefinite pause due to declining ratings.
The relationship between Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, once celebrated as a dynamic duo on ITV’s This Morning, has experienced a significant downturn, capturing public attention and sparking widespread speculation.â
The Unraveling of a TV Partnership
In 2023, Phillip Schofield resigned from This Morning following revelations of an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague. Holly Willoughby addressed the situation on-air, expressing feelings of being “shaken, troubled, let down,” and highlighting concerns for all parties involved. This public statement reportedly strained their relationship, with Schofield feeling betrayed by Willoughby’s lack of support.âLatest news & breaking headlines+1The Standard+1The Standard
Escalating Tensions and Public Fallout
Reports suggest that Schofield referred to Willoughby as “the witch” in private messages, blaming her for his career’s decline. He allegedly sent her a message stating, “You brought me down,” indicating a deep sense of betrayal. Willoughby, on the other hand, has not publicly responded to these accusations, maintaining a composed public demeanor.âThe StandardOhmymag UK+1The Standard+1
A New Chapter for Willoughby
Amidst the controversy, Willoughby faced personal challenges, including a distressing plot against her by a former security guard. Despite these hardships, she has embarked on new professional ventures, such as co-hosting the Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls and returning to Dancing on Ice.âThe Guardian+1Digital Spy+1
A Bold Move: Willoughby’s Public Statement
In a move that surprised many, Willoughby made a candid on-air statement regarding Schofield’s departure:â
“You, me, and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth.” âLatest news & breaking headlines
This remark was perceived by some as a direct critique of Schofield, further fueling the narrative of a fractured relationship.