A petition to fire Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from television has nearly reached 75,000 signatures, in response to allegations that the presenters bypassed the line to view the Queen’s royal funeral.
The television personalities have acknowledged the anger and stated that they “understand the response,” but they insist they were at the site to perform their duties as broadcasters and did not go ahead of the public.
However, viewers have demanded an official apology and the dismissal of the This Morning duo, as many other celebrities waited for hours to see the Queen.
David Beckham and Holly and Phil’s ITV colleague Susanna Reid, from GMB, were among those waiting in the line, dubbed the “Elizabeth Line.”
Clips showed Holly and Phil walking around Westminster Hall as approximately 250,000 individuals queued for up to 24 hours to give the Queen a final farewell.
A petition titled “Remove Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby from Television” has about 75,000 signatures as of today.
Nearly 75,000 people have signed a petition to remove Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby off television due to allegations that they bypassed the line to see the Queen lying in state.
The hosts of This Morning were severely criticized for cutting in line, however they clarified that they were in the media line and did not displace any member of the public (pictured in media queue)
The petition on Change.org, which has received nearly 75,000 signatures, demands that Phillip and Holly be removed from television, not only their daytime show.
This diagram of Westminster Abbey depicts the public and media access zones, as well as the location where the presenters were visible.
This Morning executives denied Holly and Phillip had “VIP access” and said they had to file “past the Queen lying in state.”
Following the backlash, ITV executives are apparently anxious that Holly and Phil would be jeered at the National Television Awards next month.
Last Monday, Holly stated, ‘Like hundreds of accredited journalists and broadcasters, we were granted official clearance to enter the venue.
It was exclusively for the purpose of reporting on the occasion for millions of people in the United Kingdom who were unable to visit Westminster.
The guidelines said that we would be swiftly taken around the perimeter to the rear platform.
‘In contrast, mourners strolled around a carpeted area next to the casket and were given time to pause.
“None of the journalists or broadcasters in attendance took anyone’s place in line, nor did anyone pass by the Queen.
‘Of course, we followed the guidelines, but we recognize that it may have appeared otherwise.
Therefore, we completely comprehend the reaction. Please be aware that we would never cut in line.
Despite their apology, Tuesday’s viewing audience was dissatisfied with the explanation provided.
A photograph of Westminster Abbey emphasizing the location of the media box, the public wait, and where Holly and Phil were spotted strolling.
The controversy arose on Friday, September 16, when the approach of the presenters was compared with that of David Beckham, who waited in line for 14 hours on the same day.
Laura Harrison, the founder of the online petition, has continued to make updates and is keen to remove the TV hosts from our screens.
She boasted that with the petition’s number of signatures, they could practically fill Wembley Stadium.
She stated, “In most industries, one or two complaints against personnel or their employer would be sufficient for their supervisors to raise concerns, investigate what transpired, issue apologies, and in some situations, file grievances.
‘In unstable gig economy roles, one or two complaints might lose a person their job, and if three hundred individuals complained about one or two employees, I’m sure the supervisory board would take notice.
So how is it that the entertainment sector is able to ignore so many individuals requesting change?
It didn’t need to reach this point, and I sincerely hoped it wouldn’t.
She went on: ‘ Seventy thousand or more signatures later, I cannot believe it has reached this point.
“I have explained why I am concerned and the harm that I believe these performances frequently do. I’m so tired of ITV probes and countless Ofcom reports, but here’s a different case.
“I have done everything possible to raise the concerns of those who have signed, including writing to Ofcom and ITV’s Board of Directors. I’ve also emphasized the huge psychological strain these shows inflict on viewers and hosts, as well as how psychologically draining they’ve become.
‘This isn’t just a petition about a queue-jump. It is about the need for change, for hope, for something other than daytime television and suspect journalism. The purpose of daytime television is to keep people jailed. However, people deserve better.”