Saturday 24 September 2022 10:02 PM Queuegate: Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's names were NOT on the ... trends now
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's names were not even on the accreditation list when they made their controversial visit to see the Queen lying in state, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The TV presenters created a 'hoo-ha' when they turned up nine days ago with two colleagues at Westminster Hall for what they say was to report for This Morning, said a source involved in processing the media list.
In what is the latest twist in an astonishing queue-jumping row, the names of their production team were instead used to help them gain access.
Since The Mail on Sunday broke details of the social media backlash against the pair last week, more than 70,500 members of the public have signed a petition calling on them to be axed from This Morning.
ITV insisted it would not give out the personal contact details of on-screen talent to the Palace of Westminster authorities – and so the email addresses of programme editor Martin Frizell and another member of the production staff, who accompanied them, had been used instead.
The source involved in the media list told The Mail on Sunday: 'When they got there, their names weren't on the list so there were some discussions and – after some back and forth – Phil and Holly were given access and they were ushered through. The whole thing caused a bit of a hoo-ha.'
Neither Frizell nor the other man accompanied the pair into Westminster Hall, where they stood in the press pen for 25 minutes.
The furore began on Friday September 16 when the presenters' approach was contrasted with that of football legend David Beckham the same day. The former England captain waited in line for almost 14 hours to pay his respects to the Queen – despite being offered a pass by an MP to jump the queue. Good Morning presenter Susanna Reid also won plaudits for waiting for seven hours with her mother to file past the coffin.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's names were not even on the accreditation list when they made their controversial visit to see the Queen lying in state, The Mail on Sunday can reveal
ITV insisted it would not give out the personal contact details of on-screen talent to the Palace of Westminster authorities – and so the email addresses of programme editor Martin Frizell and another member of the production staff, who accompanied them, had been used instead
The furore began on Friday September 16 when the presenters' approach was contrasted with that of football legend David Beckham (pictured) the same day. The former England captain waited in line for almost 14 hours to pay his respects to the Queen – despite being offered a pass by an MP to jump the queue
The week-long fallout over the incident – which has spawned hundreds of jokes online at their expense – has sparked rival briefing wars, with the presenters' relationship now said to be under strain.
Miss Willoughby is also believed to be unhappy that ITV did not step in sooner to back her, and there has been speculation – since denied – that she may leave the show.
Today, we can also reveal that the family of a woman in a wheelchair have claimed that she was moved aside to make way for the pair as they entered Westminster Hall. Mia Froggatt took to Twitter to share her anger at her disabled mother being moved out of the way for Mr Schofield and Miss Willoughby to make it in time for the 10am slot.
Posting a picture taken of the pair, she wrote: 'This is a photo taken by my sister's husband yesterday after he had queued with my sister, their 10-year-old daughter and my disabled mum for 13+ hours.
'My mum was ushered out of @hollywills and @schofe way so they could #queuejumpers without even a thanks #schofieldgate #queuejumping.'
Another witness said: 'There was no film crew at the time they walked past us. They were headed towards a side entrance. The lad in front of us started a conversation with them as they went past. Holly removed her mask for a picture.'
