Entertainment
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s ‘queue jumping’ backlash sparks petition to remove hosts from TV-Stella Akinwumi-Entertainment – Metro
ITV bosses denied the presenters jumped the queue.
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A petition has demanded for ITV’s This Morning to be axed following claims Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield appeared to jump the queue to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lying in state.
Following the Queen Elizabeth II’s death, mourners have been lining the streets in their thousands to pay their respects at London’s Westminster Hall before her funeral on Monday September 19.
Among them were the daytime TV duo, who looked sombre as they entered the hall on Friday (September 16) to view the coffin.
An ITV source told Metro.co.uk that the presenters were there as credited members of the press, filming for Tuesday’s episode of This Morning.
However, their appearance sparked intense backlash after people claimed they should have waited in line like everyone else, after they were led to a press gallery for a separate viewing,
In response to the speculation, This Morning shared a statement on their Instagram page.
This Morning bosses issued a statement amid accusations of queue jumping (Picture: Instagram)
Thousands of mourners have been waiting in line for up to 14 hours (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something’, they began.
‘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’s media to report on the event’.
A petition on Change.org is calling for the long-running daytime programme to be cancelled and branded the show ‘damaging.’
The duo faced immense backlash on social media (Picture: ITV)
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It goes on: ‘Thousands of people are lining up overnight to pay respects to the Queen, where they will likely wait up to 24 hours.
‘Yet Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield, two hosts of one of the most damaging to mental health day time tv show This Morning, were able to push past those thousands and get immediate access.’
The statement continued: ‘ITV should be ashamed of exploiting the situation. I’d like to see This Morning axed for good as I do believe it causes more harm than good, without people noticing. For example, like turning cost of living anxiety into a game show. At the least though, these toxic presenters Holly and Philip should finally be removed from our TV screens. They monopolised way too long. ‘
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So far, the petition has garnered 512 signatures, with organisers hoping they can reach the1000 mark target.
This Morning recently faced the wrath of the public after they included the option to win energy bills or household bills as a cash prize amid the cost of living crisis.
Earlier this month, the segment continued for a second day, with energy bills changed to ‘household bills up to a value of £3,000.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to ITV for comment.
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