Holly Willoughby to tackle Phillip Schofield scandal head-on: This Morning star ‘prepares statement’

Holly Willoughby to tackle Phillip Schofield scandal head-on: This Morning star ‘prepares honest personal statement’ for when she returns to the sofa tomorrow as BBC bosses circle in bid to poach daytime TV queen for new shows

Holly Willoughby is reportedly preparing an ‘honest and personal statement’ to address the Phillip Schofield scandal when she returns to This Morning on Monday.

It comes as the star is reportedly being courted by BBC bosses as they look to lure her away from ITV.

Holly has been on holiday in Portugal this week following Phillip’s admission that he had lied about an affair with a younger colleague.

She has not appeared on This Morning for the last two weeks, but is set to return to the show after her former co-host’s departure.

Holly wants to address the scandal and explain to viewers how tough things have been for those working on the show over the last few weeks, a source told The Sun. 

Holly Willoughby is set to return to present This Morning on Monday, and has prepared a statement to address the Phillip Schofield scandal 

The presenter has been on holiday in Portugal this week following Phillip's departure from ITV

The presenter has been on holiday in Portugal this week following Phillip’s departure from ITV

The source said: ‘She will be honest and open, mentioning him by name. She’s not shying away from the tricky subject as she wants to show up for the viewers and loyal fans.

‘She has thought about what she will say and written it in advance, taking her time to get the words right. It’s not something she’s being forced to do.

‘It won’t be an easy moment for her, and she knows she could get emotional, but she thinks it’s the right thing to do and wants to speak about it in an honest way.’

The statement is said to be planned for the top of Monday’s show, when Holly appears alongside co-host Josie Gibson.

She will then present the rest of the show largely as normal, including an interview with Queen singer Adam Lambert, it has been reported.

Photos of Phillip are reported to have been removed from the ITV studios, but the move is intended to mark a change in direction rather than a snub to the former presenter.

The BBC is said to be interested in signing Holly for a number of new shows and an executive has contacted her in recent days, The Mirror reported. 

The corporation is said to have discussed which high-profile programmes she could present if she makes the move from ITV.

A source said: ‘The bosses have had conversations this week about what they could offer her going forward.

Holly and Phil presenting This Morning together in May before his departure from the programme

Holly and Phil presenting This Morning together in May before his departure from the programme

Holly will appear alongside co-host Josie Gibson when she returns to the show this week

Holly will appear alongside co-host Josie Gibson when she returns to the show this week 

‘And one executive reached out to her directly earlier in the week.

‘Holly was still away on holiday at the time. But she really values her relationship with the BBC and the friendships she has built up there.’

The news comes after This Morning editor Martin Frizell sensationally suggested ex-stars of the show are ‘settling scores’ amid accusations of a ‘toxic’ work environment.

Mr Frizell – who is married to TV presenter Fiona Phillips – said to ‘read between the lines,’ adding ‘I think there are some scores being settled’ when asked if there was a toxic culture at the show.

Speaking on Saturday morning, Mr Frizell denied he was ‘concerned’ about an external review which is to be carried out into ITV after MPs and leading industry figures raised concerns around safeguarding.

He added: ‘All I want to say is I working with a fantastic team of mainly women, many mums, a lot of them concerned for their jobs although we’ve told them they don’t need to be.’

It comes after Schofield spoke out for the first time in an interview with the BBC this week, in which he appeared to accept that his television career was over.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk