There’s little more ominous than a friend-turned-foe with nothing to lose and an axe to grind. So, Holly Willoughby had reason to be concerned when Phillip Schofield announced that he was returning to TV to share his ‘story of survival’ on three-part Channel 5 series Cast Away, which entailed him spending 10 days alone on a deserted island off Madagascar.
And, as the series aired last week, it was clear Phil, 62, had some serious scores to settle. He may not have mentioned anyone by name, but it was clear that Holly was in his firing line as he reflected on being ‘chucked under a bus’ by people he had worked with, and the ‘utter betrayal’ he had been subjected to after an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a much younger colleague led to his resignation from This Morning in May 2023.
The thinly-veiled digs kept coming at his former BFF, starting from the moment he asked his family, ‘Are you OK?’, followed by an outburst of giggles, before he embarked on his adventure – clearly a snarky reference to Holly’s much-mocked greeting to This Morning viewers following Phillip’s departure from the show.
After that, he accused an unnamed ITV colleague of being disloyal and obsessed with their brand, widely reported to mean Holly. He may have ostensibly taken part in this new series to seek redemption, but Phillip’s mission was clearly one of vengeance.
Now, we’re told, Holly has been left ‘horrified and upset’ by her ex-colleague’s attacks – especially at a time that is so pivotal, ahead of her long-awaited return to TV as co-host of the game show You Bet! with Stephen Mulhern. As far as she’s concerned, having felt let down by him in the past, this is Phillip’s final betrayal – and there’s definitely no going back for their friendship after this.
‘Although he would never mention Holly by name, she feels Phillip’s throwing shade in a snide way, because he’s still angry she didn’t publicly support him, ’ says an insider close to 43-year-old Holly, who continued to helm This Morning with guest presenters following Phillip’s departure, before leaving the show herself in October after she was the target of a terrifying kidnap and murder plot.
The source continues, ‘Phillip lied to her, so she feels she had no choice, and she finds it really disrespectful that he would invite all this speculation, especially given what she’s been through the past year. She also feels the timing isn’t great, as it’s taking the attention away from her new show.
'She always knew Phil wouldn’t stay away from TV and, while he’s said this is his last show, she doesn’t believe it. It’s giving her extra stress that she doesn’t need.’
It’s hard to forget the furore that erupted last year, after – following weeks of rumours – Phillip finally admitted to the affair. Accusations flew that he’d abused his power, and Phillip duly stepped down, saying soon after that he’d lied to the people closest to him, including Holly. He later said that he’d messaged Holly, but that it had gone unanswered. But while Phillip initially showed remorse, it seems that – 18 months later – his feelings have turned to resentment.
‘People can be fake,’ he said on Cast Away. ‘They can be so fake with you when it’s all going well, and suddenly utter, utter betrayal. There are a lot of amazing people on morning television.
'I think there are only three s**ts. One of them is a coward who never stepped up in Queuegate [a scandal that erupted in 2022, after Phillip and Holly were accused of skipping the queue to see the late Queen lying in state]. One is a coward, because they never stepped up when I was being battered. And the other is just brand-orientated.’
Considering Holly launched her own lifestyle brand Wylde Moon in 2021, it would be hard to argue Phillip was not referring to her. His declaration that, ‘You learn a lot about people’ when the proverbial hits the fan seemed to double down on his bitterness.
Now, Holly knows she has to steel herself for any more attacks Phillip throws her way, as ‘she feels he won’t be quiet’ until he’s evened some scores. We’re told, ‘She’ll never regret the choices she made, including distancing herself from him amid his scandal, but knows she’s paying the price now.’