Entertainment
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s reputation ‘laying in tatters’ following queue jump scandal-Stella Akinwumi-Entertainment – Metro
The duo faced intense backlash.
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After Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby stressed that they didn’t skip the queue to see the Queen lying in state, a publicity experts claims a ‘heartfelt apology’ would have put the controversial matter to bed.
The daytime duo sparked a media storm last Friday after people claimed they appeared to jump the queue during their visit to Westminster Abbey.
During Tuesday’s This Morning, Schofield and Willoughby addressed the ongoing criticism and explained that they followed the rules set for broadcasters and journalists and didn’t take anyone’s place in the line.
‘The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back,’ said Willoughby.
‘In contrast, those paying their respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.’
However, viewers were still left seething following their response with some claiming that ‘nothing was brought to the report.’
Willoughby and Schofield were seen in Westminster Hall as they pay their respects to the Queen lying in state (Picture: ITV)
Despite the backlash, the segment was still included in today’s show (Picture: ITV)
And public relations expert Anthony Burr, who specialises in Publicity, Media, and Crisis Management, believes a simple apology could have gone a long way.
‘Should they just have apologised? Of course, they should have,’ he told Metro.co.uk
‘They should have said it was an error of judgment and in hindsight, then joined the queue after filming their segment to pay their own respects, like everyone else. That would have been the right and fair thing to do and put an end to the matter.’
He continued: ‘The presenters are under real pressure now and will hope that they can ride out this storm. But in truth, they also have been let down by ITV’s Press office, who should have had the foresight and expertise to help them deliver a heartfelt apology that would kill the story.
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The queue-jumping backlash has even sparked petition demanding for Schofield and Willoughby to be axed from the programme altogether.
‘Their defiant statement has incensed the public even further and has expedited a growing petition for not only the presenters to step down, but the entire show to be axed following a recent calamitous Cost of Living prize segment.
‘A PR disaster? Unquestionably. Could they have saved it this morning with an apology? Undoubtedly.’
The controversy has also sparked a mixed reaction from celebrities, with some condemning their actions and others defending them.
This Morning bosses issued a statement amid accusations of queue jumping (Picture: Instagram)
David Beckham was praised for waiting in line (Picture: BBC)
Praising former footballer David Beckham for waiting in line alongside the mourners, he said: ‘There have been quite a few familiar faces in the queue for that lying in state at Westminster Hall.
‘We did of course see a certain David Beckham there on Friday. He was widely praised for queueing for hours and hours, not jumping the queue because he’s a superstar VIP.
‘No, he was in the queue for many hours and good for him.’
This Morning bosses previously released a statement over the weekend, denying Willoughby and Schofield had jumped ahead.
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They 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’s media to report on the event.’
Metro.co.uk has reached out to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s reps for further comment.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
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