A family has slammed Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for a woman in a wheelchair being ushered out of the way during their controversial visit to see the Queen lying in state.
Mia Froggatt vented her frustration on Twitter about her mother, who was disabled and had to be moved to the side for The Morning presenters trying to get to the slot at 10am.
The woman posted a picture of the two and said: “This is my brother’s husband’s photo yesterday. He had been waiting with my sister, their 10-year old daughter, and my mum who was disabled for 13+ hours.
Ms Froggatt asserts that her mother was pushed out of the way so Ms Willoughby, Mr Schofield, and Mrs Willoughby could skip the line. They didn’t thank their family for the move, even though they waited longer than 13 hours.
“My mom was taken out of @hollywills & @schofe so that they could #queuejumpers with no thanks #schofieldgate”
One witness added: “There wasn’t a crew of film people at that time. They walked by us.” They were going towards a side entry. They were moving towards a side entrance when the man in front began chatting with them. Holly removed her mask in order to get a photograph.
The ITV stars’ names were not on the accreditation list when they went to pay their respects to Her Majesty, The Mail on Sunday revealed. A spokesperson for the network claimed that the two had ‘full accreditation’ organized by The Morning team, and that any claims to the contrary are false.
Mia Froggatt vented her fury on Twitter about her disabled mother not being allowed to get to Mr Schofield’s and Miss Willoughby’s 10am slots.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that Phillip Schofield’s and Holly Willoughby’s names weren’t even on the list of accredited persons when they went to visit the Queen.
ITV insisted it would not give out the personal contact details of on-screen talent to the Palace of Westminster authorities – and so the email addresses of programme editor Martin Frizell and another member of the production staff, who accompanied them, had been used instead
On Friday, September 16, the furore started when presenters presented a contrast to the approach of David Beckham (pictured), the day before. The former England captain waited in line for almost 14 hours to pay his respects to the Queen – despite being offered a pass by an MP to jump the queue
A source familiar with the processing of media lists said that TV presenters made a big splash when they showed up in London nine days ago along two other colleagues from Westminster Hall to do what they claimed was for This Morning.
The week-long fallout over the incident – which has spawned hundreds of jokes online at their expense – has sparked rival briefing wars, with the presenters’ relationship now said to be under strain.
Miss Willoughby is also believed to be unhappy that ITV did not step in sooner to back her, and there has been speculation – since denied – that she may leave the show.
The names of the production crew were used instead to gain entry, in a new twist on a queue-jumping scandal.
More than 75,000 people have signed petitions calling for them to be fired from This Morning since The Mail published details about the backlash on social media against the pair on Sunday.
ITV insisted it would not give out the personal contact details of on-screen talent to the Palace of Westminster authorities – and so the email addresses of programme editor Martin Frizell and another member of the production staff, who accompanied them, had been used instead.
The source involved in the media list told The Mail on Sunday: ‘When they got there, their names weren’t on the list so there were some discussions and – after some back and forth – Phil and Holly were given access and they were ushered through. It caused quite a stir.
Mail Online received a statement from an ITV spokesperson saying that Phillip and Holly were fully accredited, as this was done by the This Morning production staff. Any other claims are not true.
It refers to an 11-minute video clip which aired in the middle of Tuesday’s program. Miss Willoughby provided a summary of the events and showed photos of her three children placing flowers at Buckingham Palace. Also, she included a letter from Belle, her daughter, to the monarch. Some colleagues have called it “self-indulgent”.
Pre-recorded segments ended with them discussing their visit on Westminster Bridge. Schofield stated that it was one of his most memorable moments.
Since media outlets are not permitted to film in Westminster Hall, footage of the interior was taken directly from the official feed. Voiceover by Miss Willoughby for the clip was that of Miss Willoughby. ITV viewers were skeptical of Miss Willoughby’s strategy. However, close sources said that Miss Willoughby fought every step to make her point and clear the record.
The pair were not accompanied by Frizell or the other man into Westminster Hall. They remained in the press pen there for approximately 25 minutes.
It is clear that social media has cruelly mocked Miss Willoughby, and Mr Schofield. This left both of them in tears. They reportedly wished that they had not gone there, according to their sources. The episode seems to have damaged their reputations which they once enjoyed.
Now, the slap of mockery on social media
If Holly and Phil thought the furore over their queue jumping would soon die down, they hadn’t counted on social media.
Twitter and other social media sites have seen hundreds of memes mocking the two for not allowing the Queen to lie in state.
And although many express their fury at the presenters, others – such as the ones here – make them a figure of fun, which may sting more.
On Friday, September 16, the furore started when presenters presented a contrast to the approach of David Beckham that same day. The former England captain waited in line for almost 14 hours to pay his respects to the Queen – despite being offered a pass by an MP to jump the queue. Good Morning host Susanna Reid won praises for her seven-hour wait with her mother in order to get past the coffin.
They were initially seen in the audience via the camera feed. The couple said they were there making a segment to be broadcast on This Morning four days later.
Only the official TV feed was allowed in.
It is clear that social media has cruelly mocked Miss Willoughby, and Mr Schofield on a regular basis, which left both of them in tears. They reportedly wished that they had not gone there, according to their sources. The episode seems to have damaged their reputations once they were clean.
ITV’s top executives are also reported to be fuming. Michael Jermey and his team, ITV’s director news and current affairs for many years, meticulously planned the coverage.
Many are angry at the fact that their hard work was overshadowed and rewarded by Miss Willoughby (41), and Mr Schofield (61).
According to one journalist, “People don’t talk about our amazing news output.” These people are talking about Phil or Holly who, at last moment, decided that they wanted to participate.
ITV’s entertainment division has some senior managers echoing their frustrations. Sources claim that they did not have to attend the broadcast of the segment. For what ended up being shown on TV, they didn’t have to be in the same building.
ITV came to their defense last week after almost 24 hours. A statement stating that the presenters were in attendance to cover news, and journalists, was issued by them. Miss Willoughby seemed to be fed up with waiting.
Stephen Shotnes, Fitzrovia lawyer Simons Muirhead Burton, reminded reporters that suggesting his client was doing something other than working is misleading and defamatory.
ITV staff are concerned about the lateness of ITV’s broadcaster. One commented: “We were surprised that no one upstairs took action to stop it from happening so quickly.”
The channel’s staff are reported to find the whole situation ‘absolutely funny’. Some presenters who have worked with Mr Schofield –and not got along with him – are also revelling in his difficulties.
As they enter their thirteenth year together, some ITV executives are wondering if there is a loss of glamour.
Their popularity is declining. Miss Willoughby can be seen as “too perfect” and “unrelatable”, while Mr Schofield can be seen as “smug”.
ITV replied to the question about passes last night by saying that Phillip was accredited for Holly and Holly. Although it was clear from the booking process that Phillip would report to This Morning, Holly and Holly are not allowed to share their contact information. Instead, Phillip was given the addresses of production staff who were accompanying Holly and Holly.