Holly Willoughby denies rumours of a rift with Phillip Schofield

Holly Willoughby has once again denied rumours of a rift with her longtime presenting partner Phillip Schofield.

The presenter, 40, admitted that despite rumours of tension between the pair in 2019, she could only endure the demands of hosting This Morning with someone she views as 'a friend.'

Speaking to Grazia, Holly said: 'It is two and a half hours of live telly. If you were to do that amount of live telly with someone who drove you nuts, wound you up, annoyed you in any way, well, I think you can only do that with a friend, day in, day out.'

In 2019 it was reported that Holly and Phillip were embroiled in a row over their salary for hosting This Morning, but the pair have repeatedly denied the claims.

Phillip himself said in 2020 he was baffled by the rumours, telling The Mail On Sunday: 'Can you imagine a feud between us ever happening? We are so open on the show, we are so open online and we go on holiday together.'

'Holly is the sister I never had, we think at the same speed. It's so organic… it's a shame.'

Last year Holly described it was a 'particularly difficutl time' when speculation was rife about her friendship with Phillip.

Elsewhere in the interview, Holly gave rare insight into her family life as she gushed over her 'amazing' daughter, Belle. 

She revealed that she was in awe of her 10-year-old's ability to empathise with others - a trait that appears to have been passed on by her. 

She explained: 'Empathy is a lovely thing. My daughter has it. She's amazing, you can stick her in any situation.'

Empathy is a trait that

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