Holly's statement

The 'deep breaths' and 'are you okay' was just weird. It was just just odd all over. I agree its a tricky one to get right but I don't think she's helped herself there.

I've only ever seen it in the dentist's or doctor's waiting room. Daytime TV isn't exactly dynamite: I'm surprised this story has run for as long as it has.

The story itself, if not the programme, is of interest to me as I feel a vested interest in things post-operation Yewtree not going back to the more naïve times of before, when men got away with atrocious sexual misconduct with impunity.

I don't know what Schofield has done, other than have an inappropriate relationship and then lied about it (welcome to Westminster on an ordinary working day). IF it's grooming, this is serious but appropriate, questions need asking by professional investigators rather than the media. Witnessing their baying hounds in action is deeply uncomfortable. I wonder if this is how it felt for Meghan Markle? It's awful.

They need to call off their attack dogs before their actions cause another tragedy.

This made me laugh 😅

https://twitter.com/theneonrequiem/status/1665661618225573888

He keeps engaging the press too though. An interview, statements on social media, cringy photo with his mum- he should also stop engaging with the press and the public if he wants his grooming and bullying all nicely swept under the rug.

Why do you do to get a job on TV?

🤣

The whole business has highlighted how far This Morning has drifted from its roots. Richard and Judy were journalists, not, first and foremost, personalities and, even if Richard was not averse to mansplaining, there was always a feeling that Judy could hold her own in interviews. Plus the general ambience of the show seemed to indicate a greater respect for the viewers and their potential interest in various topics, not necessarily always gossipy and fluffy.

It might have still been daytime trivia, but somehow it was less artificial than the current version of the show.

Maybe we will see a return to a similar dynamic in due course.

Anyone would think someone had died. 🙄

I agree, I don't know why they don't just draw a line under This Morning and come up with something a bit different for the morning slot. People who watch it no doubt do so as they want something to watch during the day, I'm sure as long as it wasn't astronomically bad then it wouldn't lose viewers, it might even gain some. I don't watch TM often, but seems to be lots of in jokes, unfunny innuendos, tired formats and self obsessed presenters who don't give the people they interview time to really speak.

Vacuous is the word. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. She actually asked us if we were OK, and said she hoped so. Does she really believe we're personally affected??

Absolutely. She didn’t let him off the hook at all. Lots of celebs are saying ‘be kind‘ and saying to leave him alone. She said he lied.

I feel v worried for Phil’s mental health. All this piling on is inhuman. I think everyone needs to calm down. He didn’t break the law. He had an affair. He owes his wife and family an apology. Divorce his wife. And let her keep as much as she can for the humiliation. End of.

I have to say Holly is venom. Sticking it to a friend and colleague when they are really down.

The funniest part was when she said Philip felt like he had to resign due to his lie, when it was actually Holly who'd spent weeks forcing him out. Such a liar 😂

This!

MN statement:

We don’t like pretty thin women who make lots of money. Actress, presenter whatever - we label them “fake”. We want her sacked and replaced with someone fatter.

The only sensible thing she includes is to indicate concern for all those caught up, in whatever way, with this whole thing. I can't help thinking of Steph's dad. When PS came out to him at Xmas 2019, he said he had nothing to apologise for. I wonder if he'd be quite so accommodating now.

Unbearably smug and self satisfied.
Looks very insincere to me.

Of course she must have had suspicions about what was going on.

Now it’s damage limitation for Holly.

She didn't have to reference him like he was a nameless, faceless demon. She never had to refer to him at all. However, maybe she has her own reasons for feeling angry. Maybe he also controlled her in various ways (like buying a villa next to hers and almost directing her leisure time to make sure she was still his best friend at the end of the holidays?). There is hatred and disgust in her non-verbal language.

Anyone else think that when Holly said "feels very strange" that she actually said "Phil's very strange..."

It took me a moment to realise I'd misheard it 😅

Yes. She fluffed her words at the end. Was it the stress or that she still hasn't mastered the autocue (there was an old joke circulating about her inability to keep up with dynamic news stories).

It is carefully scripted , why wouldn't it be? The company will have had solicitors and media people all over it. I can't believe people think presenters are really going to share their own thoughts and views. Just don't watch if you aren't happy . There are many different programmes to watch.

It's SO similar to The Morning Show.

If you're intrigued by this scandal then watch The Morning Show - it's actually quite good!! Jenifer Aniston is v good.

Agreed.

Bojo got less flack when he was in mu h more serious position as a PM, whose policies had a direct impact on people and state of the country. From serial affairs to domestic violence to using taxpayers money on women like Jennifer Arcuri to lying about corona virus seriousness and giving contracts to his mates but some how the worst people in the UK deserving to lose their jobs are presenters of a TV show. No wonder the state of the country.

Yes, “ Phil’s very strange”
The huffy breaths seem a bit strange-
“ Find strength in each other??“

It’s just a TV show with yet another male who took advantage allegedly against a young person.

Her statement seems strong because she's had to future proof it against things she knows about and suspects which haven't been fully revealed yet. On that point alone, one should read between the lines.