Phillip Schofield denies blocking Amanda Holden from hosting This Morning and I'm a Celebrity

Presenter calls reports 'hurtful and wildly untrue'

Jacob Stolworthy
Tuesday 25 June 2019 07:52 BST
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Amanda Holden slams Phillip Schofield live on radio

Phillip Schofield has responded to reports that he blocked Amanda Holden from securing several high-profile presenting roles.

Over the weekend, it was claimed that Holden had accused the long-running host of This Morning of calling the Britain's got Talent judge "difficult to manage".

According to the report, he "actively campaigned" for Rochelle Humes to get the gig as his co-host despite Holden being told the job was hers.

It's also claimed that Holden had been told she would replace Ant McPartlin on last year's edition of I'm a Celebrity, only to allegedly have her booking prevented by Schofield.

The role eventually went to Schofield's regular presenting partner Holly Willoughby despite Schofield reportedly lobbying for the role himself.

Schofield responded to the reports late Sunday (23 June) on Twitter.

He wrote: "The end of another really sad weekend. When you try for 35 years to be the easiest, most fun person to work with and you read such hurtful and wildly untrue stories from nameless ‘sources’. Obviously I’ll take it on the chin. I just hope you know me better."

ITV said in a statement: “Presenter line-ups on This Morning change regularly. Final decisions are made by producers, not presenters.

"Phillip is a much-loved broadcaster and part of the ITV family. He’s a consummate professional. Amanda is also held in high regard as a judge on one of our biggest shows.”

Speaking on Heart FM earlier this month, Holden told listeners the three things she wouldn't like to find in her home included "spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield."

Schofield told Heat magazine that Holden kept him "on [his] toes" when asked about his experiences presenting This Morning with Holden.

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