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This Morning forced to issue statement on Holly and Phillip queue jumping

Published 15:35 18 Sept 2022 BST

April Curtin
This Morning forced to issue statement on Holly and Phillip queue jumping

Homenews

Viewers are threatening to boycott the show

This Morning producers have denied claims that Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby jumped the queue to see the Queen's coffin. The presenting duo faced significant backlash after they appeared to avoid the long line to Westminster Hall on Friday, the same day that David Beckham queued for 13 hours to go and pay his respects to the Queen. [caption id="attachment_359378" align="alignnone" width="1198"] Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield at Westminster Hall (Image: BBC)[/caption] Schofield, 60, and Willoughby, 41, have received a barrage of abuse in recent days, with some calling for the pair to be sacked. One TalkTV host even branded Schofield a "prat", and some Twitter users have threatened to boycott This Morning for what they branded "despicable" behaviour. Bosses from This Morning therefore took to social media to try and prevent any further trolling. [caption id="attachment_359347" align="alignnone" width="2048"]LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: The King's Body Guard, formed of Gentlemen at Arms, and Scots Guards, stand around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, Lying in State inside Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster on September 18, 2022 in London, England. Members of the public are able to pay respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for 23 hours a day from 17:00 on September 18, 2022 until 06:30 on September 19, 2022. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8, 2022, and is succeeded by her eldest son, King Charles III. (Photo by Adrian Dennis- WPA Pool/Getty Images) The King's Body Guard stand around the Queen's coffin in Westminster Hall, Palace of Westminster (Image: Getty)[/caption] Writing on Instagram, a This Morning spokesperson said: "Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something. "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 media to report on the event." [caption id="attachment_359379" align="alignnone" width="788"]A statement on This Morning's Instagram story (Image: @thismorning) A statement on This Morning's Instagram story (Image: @thismorning)[/caption] An ITV spokesperson also said: "This Morning had press accreditation and like other media, Phillip and Holly were escorted to work from the press gallery by government staff. They did not file past The Queen's coffin. They were there alongside a host of other broadcasters and national press outlets for an item that will be broadcast on Tuesday's show. Any allegations of improper behaviour are categorically untrue." The news comes as mourners continue to queue for hours to see the Queen's coffin, with some eBay shoppers bidding over £10,000 for second-hand queue wristbands. People have now been told it is too late to set off to view the Queen's lying in state, as doors will close at 6.30am on Monday, ahead of the Queen's funeral. Related links:
This Morning forced to issue statement on Holly and Phillip queue jumping