Wednesday 21 September 2022 08:14 PM Holly Willoughby fans concerned as ITV defends presenters over Westminster ... trends now

Fans are concerned after Holly Willoughby appeared tearful and ITV has doubled down in the row over her and fellow This Morning host Phillip Schofield's appearance at the Queen's lying-in-state after footage seemed to show them filing past the Queen's coffin.    

The popular TV hosts - who are reportedly paid as much as £600,000 for presenting the daytime show from Mondays to Thursdays - have faced growing fury after images of them appearing to 'skip the line' emerged on Friday while tens of thousands of mourners patiently waited for more than 12 hours to pay their respects to Her Majesty. 

Viewers tweeted accusations the hosts were 'too posh to queue' and a change.org petition to axe the presenters has surpassed 45,000 signatures as viewers appear to reject the stars' bid to draw a line under the scandal.

But Holly sparked worry amongst fans on Tuesday after they noticed she looked like she was 'on the verge of tears' and had 'never been so quiet.' 

Meanwhile the London Dungeon has waded in on the row, offering a 'Holly & Phil' fast track pass which enables visitors to skip the line. 

Footage inside Westminster Abbey appeared to show Holly and Phil walking along an area separate from the media box - but ITV has since insisted the stars did not join mourners in filing past the coffin. 

Following the images circulating online, comparisons were quickly made to other celebrities who queued for hours with the general public - including England football legend David Beckham and even Holly and Phil's ITV colleague Susanna Reid, from Good Morning Britain. 

This afternoon, an ITV spokeswoman insisted the presenters did not file past the Queen's coffin.

The spokeswoman told MailOnline: 'This Morning had press accreditation and like other media, Phillip and Holly were escorted to work from the press gallery by government staff. They did not file past The Queen's coffin. 

'They were there alongside a host of other broadcasters and national press outlets for an item that was broadcast on Tuesday's (20th) show. Any allegations of improper behaviour are categorically untrue.'

Fans also expressed concern for Holly on today's episode of This Morning claiming she looked like she had been 'up all night crying'.

It comes as the presenters shared an emotional SOS phone call about the 'devastating' fierce public backlash, MailOnline can reveal.

In the first episode of the show since the row unfolded, Holly and Phil strongly denied viewers' claims they were 'too posh to queue' and said they had been in Westminster Hall to work on Friday. 

They said: 'Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists we were given official permission to access the hall.

'It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who have not been able to visit Westminster in person.

'The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. 

'In contrast, those paying respect walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.

'None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no one filed past the Queen. We of course respected those rules.

'However, we realise that it may have looked like something else, and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump a queue.' 

But some social media users were not convinced, with one saying: 'I'm afraid that so-called explanation was way off the mark. At the end of the day, Holly and Phil got to see, experience and feel that atmosphere and moment, all with the privilege of no queue. Us Brit's are all about fairness. This wasn't.'

Another said: 'Too posh to queue are we?? Who do you think you are?'

However fans of the pair also raised concerns about Holly's mental health, with one saying: 'Is Holly ok? She's not looking herself? #ThisMorning.'

A second said: 'Holly has never been so quiet. I don't envy anyone in the public eye #ThisMorning.'

After seeing her looking puffy-eyed on the show, others tweeted: 'Holly looks like she's been crying all night #ThisMorning.' 

While she and Phillip were smiling throughout the show, they appeared on edge, with Phillip wringing his hands and Holly protectively placing her arms across her body. 

Holly, 41, is said to be particularly upset over the reaction and 'has never had to deal with anger and vitriol like this in her life', with the situation even forcing her off social media as the criticism continues. 

A source said: 'Phil and Holly started to become really worried about the situation on Friday night. They spoke at length and decided they had to do something to protect themselves and the reputation of the show.

'They hoped the statement would take the heat but were totally devastated when they realised it had just made things worse.

'At one point they considered releasing their own message to set things straight but in the end they decided to wait until the show so they could speak directly to viewers.

'Holly has

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