Amanda Holden Halts Radio Show Over Phillip Schofield Mention
Amanda Holden's longstanding feud with Phillip Schofield has resurfaced dramatically, with the television personality stopping her radio show mid-broadcast when her co-host mentioned Schofield's name. The incident occurred during the Heart Breakfast show, where Holden, 55, was joined by co-host Jamie Theakston, 55, and guest Jack Whitehall, 37.
Radio Show Incident Sparks Tension
The trio were discussing the upcoming BRIT Awards, which Whitehall is set to host, when Holden asked if he would wear "snappy socks" like his father often does. Whitehall joked about not wanting to be "upstaged by a sock," prompting Holden to tell Theakston: "Well, Jamie, I rest my case."
Theakston responded with: "What are you talking about? Children's television? That wasn't me, that was Phillip Schofield." Holden immediately fired back: "Oh God, please, let's not mention that name on air, it's a family show!" effectively halting the conversation about her former colleague.
Origins of the Longstanding Feud
The tensions between Schofield, 62, and Holden, 55, reportedly began in 2018 when Schofield was accused of influencing ITV bosses to choose Rochelle Humes over Holden as his temporary co-host on This Morning. Holly Willoughby's absence while filming I'm A Celebrity in Australia created the vacancy that sparked the controversy.
A former daytime TV executive claimed Schofield pushed for Humes' selection, leading to what insiders described as an "awkward confrontation" between Holden and Schofield during her appearance on the show. "She made it clear that she felt very let down," an insider reportedly told The Sun. "He was lost for words but didn't have much time to respond because the show was going back on air."
The situation was compounded by the fact that Holden was still wearing her microphone pack during the exchange, allowing most of the production team to overhear the conversation.
Public Denials and Continued Tensions
Schofield responded to the allegations on social media, tweeting: "The end of another really sad weekend. When you try for 35 years to be the easiest, most fun person to work with and you read such hurtful and wildly untrue stories from nameless 'sources.' Obviously I'll take it on the chin...I just hope you know me better."
ITV also issued an official statement denying the claims: "Presenter line-ups on This Morning change regularly. Final decisions are made by producers, not presenters." Despite these denials, the tension between the two television personalities has persisted over the years.
Recent Digs and Commentary
Holden has continued to make subtle references to the feud in various contexts. Before Schofield announced his departure from ITV, she shared her thoughts on potential replacements during her radio show, telling Theakston: "Yes. I think him and Alison [Hammond] do a great job, don't they?" suggesting Dermot O'Leary would be "good to replace" Schofield.
In another instance, when discussing things she never wanted to find in her home, Holden listed: "Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield," demonstrating that the professional disagreement has evolved into personal animosity.
The recent radio incident confirms that despite years having passed since the initial controversy, the rift between these two prominent British television figures remains unresolved, with professional disagreements continuing to surface in public forums.
