Holly Willoughby has reportedly been left “horrified and upset” by her ex-colleague's attack after it was claimed Phillip Schofield sent his ex-best friend a scathing message after he was fired from This Morning.
Schofield returned to TV screens on the Channel 5 series, Cast Away, where he ripped apart three former colleagues from the show – branding them “s***s” who had “no loyalty”.
During an episode of the three-part series, he blasted: “People can be fake. 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. One is a coward because they never stepped up when I was being battered. And the other is just brand-orientated.”
According to The Mirror, it was reported that the daytime TV star sent Willoughby a scathing messagewhich read “You brought me down” when his TV career came crashing down around him.
A friend told the publication: "As well as saying she had brought him down, he said he couldn’t believe his TV sister would do this to him."
The pair were best friends and co-stars
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Their friendship allegedly began to fall apart in the aftermath of his brother's – Timothy Schofield – court case, with the Dancing on Ice presenter not publicly defending him.
Willoughby reportedly told the disgraced presenter she didn't want to "feed the narrative" and as a result left Schofield feeling as if Willoughby and This Morning bosses had staged a "very well-constructed coup".
Now it has been reported that Willoughby has been feeling “upset” due to Schofield’s “attacks” and feels this is the final betrayal on Schofield’s behalf – with no way back for their friendship.
A source told Heat World: “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.
It is reported that their friendship came crashing down after his brother was jailed
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“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.”
The 43-year-old feels that her former colleague “won’t be quiet” until he’s evened some scores: “She’ll never regret the choices she made, including distancing herself from him amid his scandal, but knows she’s paying the price now.”
During Schofield’s TV return, he addressed his brutal opinions on what he expected when he returned from the island.
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Holly Willoughby is said to have been left saddened by Schofield's accusations
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He ranted: “When I get on that boat and I leave here, I will know that I did my best and I've said my piece. Anyone who's bitter about that, honestly you can f*** off because I don't give a sh**. I quit. Mic drop."
Schofield revealed his TV return via his Instagram account and excitedly told people where to watch and at what time – with Willoughby sending a clear message the day the first episode went out.