“She didn’t reply and I understand why she didn’t reply”
Phillip Schofield has revealed Holly Willoughby is no longer speaking to him after news of his affair came to light. The pair’s friendship was already damaged before the scandal broke in May, but Schofield said he understands why Holly no longer wants to talk to him.
In an interview with The Sun, the broadcaster stressed that Holly had no idea about his affair with a younger This Morning runner. Despite their broken friendship, Schofield defended his former co-host and said she doesn’t deserve to be dragged into this mess.
“Holly did not know (about the romance). And she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say, ‘I am so, so sorry that I lied to you’.
“She didn’t reply and I understand why she didn’t reply, as well. So yeah. If anyone is in any way linking Holly to this; that is absolutely, wholly untrue,” he said.
He explained that there is no ‘feud’ between them but their friendship was tainted by the “witch hunt”.
“Quite rightly, she is going to take a step back and think, ‘I have to step back from this’, and I understand that completely.”
Holly reportedly distanced herself from Schofield after his brother Timothy was found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy. His brother’s imprisonment and the affair scandal caused Holly to cut ties with Schofield after over a decade of friendship.
Willoughby issued two short statements following the scandal but has kept a low profile in recent weeks. She is set to return to This Morning on Monday, June 5th.
