Holly Willoughby ‘played a masterstroke’ to become powerful TV host – source

Louise Van der Vel boycotts This Morning due to Phillip Schofield

Holly Willoughby, 42, will remain as host of This Morning after Phillip ­Schofield’s departure capped her 14-year rise to the top.

A source told The Sun: “Holly is the real winner in all of this as she has emerged victorious and classy. She has played a masterstroke.”

Initially, Holly was drafted in by Phil as a nervous stop-gap after former co-host Fern Britton left.

Now she is worth an estimated £20million and boasts lucrative commercial deals.

The source added: “The situation between the crumbling partnership became so serious that ITV bosses had to choose which horse to back — Phil or Holly. And it was clear where their loyalties lay.

“Getting rid of Phil was never going to be easy. But producers had to think about the longevity of the show. Holly was its future and they want to keep her happy.”

Holly and Phil used to be exceptionally close and would holiday together every year.

However, it’s been reported that in the last month, the pair are “barely speaking” when the This Morning cameras stopped rolling.

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Media reports claim Schofield was “digging his heels in to stay right up until the end”. 

It’s being claimed that it took “much persuasion” to get him to agree to terminate his contract immediately – and reports described the star as “a broken man”.

Meanwhile, Holly is believed to have told ITV she could no longer work with Phil but made it clear she wants to stay.

A source told MailOnline: “Holly won the war. We say what Holly wants, Holly gets and never was a truer word spoken.”

In a brief statement on social media, Holly wrote: “It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.

“The sofa won’t feel the same without him,”  she signed off the statement with a pink heart emoji.

In contrast, Phillip made no mention of Holly in his statement. He wrote: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story. Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.

“I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.

“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.”

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