Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were embroiled in controversy after they were accused of skipping the queue to pay tribute to the late Queen.
The duo, known for their long stint on This Morning, visited Westminster Hall in 2022 to say their goodbyes to the Queen. Unlike the general public and celebrities like David Beckham, who waited patiently for hours, it seemed Schofield and Willoughby were given preferential access, sparking widespread outrage in an episode that was dubbed “queuegate”.
Phillip had anticipated the negative reaction, according to a friend. He reportedly expressed his reservations about broadcasting the segment, predicting it would attract negative attention.
“He made it quite clear in no uncertain terms that it was a bad idea and would be interpreted the wrong way,” the source revealed to the Mirror.
In the aftermath, Phil discussed the incident on Dan Wootton’s Tonight show on GB News from his home. Without offering an apology, he pointed out that “700 other journalists did exactly the same thing” and felt him and Holly were unjustly singled out.
Holly later clarified on This Morning that they had received “official permission” to enter the hall. She explained: “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.”
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She added: “None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue and no one filed past 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.”
ITV also issued a statement at the time, stating: “We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme. They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event.”
A friend of Phil defended his decision to air his grievances on national TV, arguing he was well within his rights to do so. “So much Phillip needed to get off his chest on Cast Away appears to be justified and was not the ‘poor me’ it was accused of,” the friend added.
“He couldn’t have been more remorseful of his mistake and addressed that numerous times, but did he deserve that trip under the bus? He has been pleased by the reaction and just wants people to make their own minds up by watching all three episodes.”
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