Phil Feels Betrayed: The Rift Between Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby Unfolds
Phillip Schofield received emotional support from his close friend Holly Willoughby after his brother, Timothy, was arrested for child sex offences. Yet, behind the scenes, friends revealed that Phil was deeply hurt when Holly distanced herself from him during Timothy’s trial last May, as reported by The Sun.
Initially, rumours swirled that Holly was unaware of Timothy’s legal troubles, leaving her blindsided by the arrest news. However, it is now believed that Holly, once Phil’s most trusted confidante, consciously built a barrier between them to protect “her brand.”
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Sources previously told The Sun that the pressure from Timothy’s arrest was a turning point in Phil and Holly’s friendship, contributing significantly to the growing rift. Although Holly has never publicly commented on Timothy’s crimes, messages obtained by the outlet show she was aware of the situation as early as December 2021. In one message to Phil, Holly expressed concern after learning Timothy was staying with a friend, asking if the person “knew what he had done.” She further expressed her disbelief, stating it was “hard to believe.”
A close friend revealed the emotional toll on Phil: “Phil feels that he was sacked because of the bad press surrounding his brother. Everyone knew about Tim – including Holly. They had a private make-up room called ‘The Sanctuary’ at This Morning, where Phil tearfully confided in trusted friends, including Holly. She held his hand and was incredibly supportive, showing disgust over what his brother had done.”
Despite her initial support, Phil believes that Holly’s public distance was a calculated move to avoid damage to her image. This distancing only deepened their rift, especially when Phil later admitted he had lied to Holly about an affair with a colleague. Friends close to Phil claim that Holly cut him off abruptly, leaving him feeling betrayed. “He acknowledges that he lied to Holly but apologized profusely. He feels she abandoned him completely, despite everything they’d shared.”
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The fallout has left Phil feeling devastated, as he struggles to come to terms with what he perceives as a significant betrayal from someone he once considered his closest friend. As he reflects on the events, he still feels the sting of Holly’s decision to step away during his most challenging time.
Timothy Schofield was sentenced to 12 years in prison in May of last year.