TENSE Phillip Schofield headed to work on This Morning today after The Celeb Report revealed his huge fallout with Holly Willoughby.
Phil has hired a lawyer after being “blindsided” by how public their growing rift has become.
Phillip Schofield looks pensive as he leaves his West London home to head to work on This Morning
The 61-year-old has vowed not to let their fallout escalate
Phil and Holly have hosted This Morning together since 2009
He feared he would be axed by ITV after it emerged Holly, his TV partner of 14 years, was prepared to strike out alone on the show.
Phil then released an emotional statement about their friendship.
Today, the TV legend appeared fraught as he left his West London abode to front the daytime TV programme alongside Holly.
A pensive Phil carried a black rucksack and wore a light blue shirt and jeans.
It comes as an insider told The Celeb Report: “Phil has instructed a lawyer to help keep his reputation intact.
“They are overseeing stories relating to ITV and his role on This Morning and are ensuring Phil is protected.
“Phil has done absolutely nothing wrong and doesn’t have a PR team guiding him.
“He and ITV felt he needed someone, officially, in his corner to ward off stuff that isn’t true.”
“Phil doesn’t want this to get beyond his control.”
They will return on ITV today after vowing their rift would not escalate.
A source said: “Holly and Phil are professionals and they can turn it on like no one else.
“Although behind the scenes their relationship is nothing like it was, they are both dedicated to This Morning and keeping it together for viewers.”
From 10am, the pair are due to interview I’m A Celebrity All-Stars winner Myleene Klass and discuss topics in the news after insiders said a truce had been agreed.
The source added: “This Morning are aware of the issues and are doing everything they can to keep things running smoothly.”
Holly and Phil will be on screen together until late July and then take a six-week summer break.
It is believed they will hold talks with ITV on how they can move forward before their return in September.
Since Holly and Phil’s last show together on Thursday, he has chosen to lie low.
Holly appeared stony-faced when seen on a trip out on Saturday.
On Friday she made no reference to the rift as she posted a loving dedication on Instagram to her sister Kelly.
She shared a selfie of them with her 8.2million followers and wrote: “It’s this beautiful human’s birthday . . . have the greatest day today and always . . . love you so much.”
Those close to Holly said she was “blindsided” by Phil’s emotional statement about their friendship last week, which confirmed the issues within their relationship.
Similarly, after Holly chose to remain silent those close to Phil said he felt hurt that she had failed to speak openly about him.
The Celeb Report revealed Phil has hired a lawyer after it was revealed Holly would host This Morning without him – but the presenter told The Celeb Report Holly is still his ‘rock’
Holly was spotted out on Satuday
Phil feared he would be axed by ITV as Holly was prepared to do This Morning without him
Holly put on a brave face as she posted a birthday message on Instagram for her sister Kelly over the weekend
Holly and Phil have been TV partners for 14 years
Sources close to Holly say she felt ‘blindsided’ by Phil’s emotional statement about their friendship
