Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have sparked a backlash online following their visit to Westminister Abbey where they paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II. Thousands of people have been queuing for hours outside overnight, just to spend a few minutes marking the monarch’s life. Celebrities like Susanna Reid and David Beckham were among the members of the public, who waited for hours to be let in.
However, viewers were left furious when Sky News footage showed Holly and Phillip being let in the press’ entrance.
Many angry fans have taken to social media to air their frustrations, with many threatening to “boycott” This Morning.
Janet Neal wrote: “I won’t be watching #ThisMorning any time soon. #HollyWilloughby #PhilipScofield.”
Ocean Jasper raged: “That’s the word I was looking for! SMUG #HollyWilloughby and #PhilipScofield are SMUG & ENTITLED. They are not statesmen or royalty! They think they are better than us! Boycott #This Morning.”
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James H commented: “Who’s ready to boycott This Morning from Tuesday? We can show OUR respect for what they did. ITS OUTRAGEOUS. People queuing for +12HRS in the cold & rain and they can just jump the queue. Disgusting!” (sic)
Ruben Govinden fumed: “#PhilipScofield do you have any respect at all for the people you claim to be concerned about? I’m disgusted that #ThisMorning sanctions this appalling behaviour. I expect an apology or walk away. Your choice.”
Phillip and Holly are yet to address the criticism publicly, but ITV have confirmed the duo were at Westminster to film a segment for This Morning.
An ITV source has since said to Express.uk that Holly and Phillip had a press accreditation to be there and were at Westminster Abbey alongside a host of other broadcasters and national press outlets for an item that will be broadcast on Tuesday’s show.
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The source added: “Holly and Phillip were not able to pay respects in the same way that the queueing public would have, therefore [were] not jumping that queue.”
Despite the backlash, Susanna Reid and David Beckham are among the celebrities praised for queuing with the public.
Earlier this week, the Good Morning Britain presenter shared an insight into the queuing process.
Taking to social media, she shared a snap of Westminster Abbey at night.
She wrote: “Evening – along with my lovely mum and her very good friend, I have just experienced a moment in history – witnessing the Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall. At once majestic and peaceful.
“If you are planning to queue here are our tips. We joined at 1.23pm near Butlers Wharf and entered Westminster Hall at 8.43pm – 7 hours 20 mins.
“Wear the comfiest shoes you own. Go with someone if you can, although everyone in the queue was friendly.”
She added: “Don’t carry too much in a bag – water is freely available and there are lots of cafes along the route. Also plenty of toilets. I put my phone on low battery mode and it lasted the entire time.
“The first part of the queue is for wristbands. Ours were given out at Tower Bridge about an hour after we began queuing. There is no queue jumping – people waited patiently for wristbands and once you have one you can leave the queue for snacks/loo stops & slip back in.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.