Phillip Schofield’s 'futile efforts to shoot Holly Willoughby down' as strategy explained

Phillip Schofield's alleged attempts to "shoot Holly down" have reportedly been unsuccessful, according to a source.

Holly Willoughby's rift with her then co-host Phillip Schofield followed his abrupt exit from ITV's This Morning in May 2023, where he later confessed to having had an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger male colleague..

Schofield, once the face of Dancing on Ice, stayed away from television for over a year before hosting Channel 5's Cast Away, which swiftly stirred up controversy, reports the Express.

Willoughby expressed being "shaken, troubled, let down," and "worried" by Phillip's This Morning departure, while a source confided to The Sun that he harbours such negativity towards her he allegedly refers to her as 'the witch'.

Moreover, during his comeback appearance on Cast Away, Schofield seemed to take a swipe at Willoughby's memorable "are you OK?" address to ITV audiences with a notable echo in his words, saying: "If you're OK, then we're OK, and I'm OK... are you OK? ".

Notwithstanding this, Bella magazine was informed by an insider that despite Schofield's supposed "efforts", Willoughby remains steadfast. The source stated: "Despite Phillip's best efforts to shoot Holly down, his mission has been futile as Holly's resistance has seen her through. Her dignified professional silence has netted herself personal success."

According to a source close to Phillip, he reportedly felt his 21-year tenure on This Morning was nearing its end when Holly chose not to publicly back him.

The confidant revealed that Phillip viewed Holly's support could have potentially salvaged his position, but her decision not to do so "effectively finished him off."

The insider also emphasised the significance of having faith in the on-screen chemistry between presenters. It's believed that Holly told Phillip she didn't want to "feed the narrative", and that ITV chiefs didn't want her to make a statement.

Phillip reportedly felt like Holly and a This Morning boss had conducted a "very well constructed coup" while his long-standing TV career fell apart.

A source previously claimed: "Phillip considered her a friend, his TV sister as he called her, and always backed her, even recommending her to do the jungle. Her lack of public support was a low blow in his eyes."

Holly, who has also left This Morning, didn't publicly address Phillip's TV return and has been focusing on her brand, Wylde Moon. It has also been announced that she will be hosting a revamped version of the game show You Bet! alongside Stephen Mulhern.