In Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford’s bitter feud with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

No one has enjoyed the passing of Phillip Schofield more than Eamonn Holmes.

The veteran presenter, 63, has been a critic of Schofield for several years and was sometimes not shy about showing it off.

But since Schofield’s days seemed numbered on This Morning, which became a reality last Saturday when the 61-year-old “stepped down” amid a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby, the Irishman is even happier.

In fact, he has even been accused of being “outraged” on social media about Phillip’s demise, but justified his actions to a fan by saying he has “more insight than you”.

And he certainly does, as Eamonn has been quietly waiting for this moment, knowing that his rival and one-time This Morning colleague would one day get his “credit” for the way he has treated others – including wife Ruth Langsford – during his two- ten years in the ITV show.

Former friends: Eamonn, 63, co-hosted ITV’s Friday episode of This Morning for 15 years with wife Ruth, 63, and they covered for Phil and Holly over the holidays (pictured in 2013)

A source said: “Eamonn thinks what happened to Phillip is karma. If you’re good to people on the way up and at the top, people will usually fight your corner.

“But since Phillip never really believed in that mantra, he thinks he must pay for it now.”

Eamonn – a broadcasting institution of more than five decades – has known Phillip for most of his professional life.

The pair were never close, but appreciated each other’s broadcasting styles and worked side by side professionally.

But that all changed in 2019, when Eamonn’s wife and This Morning co-host Ruth Langsford filed an official complaint against Phillip.

While working on Loose Women, Ruth was cut off mid-link by Phillip explaining what was coming on the show during a mini-segment on This Morning.

Lashing out: He also took aim at Holly and Phil, calling the latter “passive-aggressive” and claiming he has a habit of “disapproving of people”

Phil said, “Guys, we’re going to have to jump in and hold you back, I’m afraid, because we’re a little short on time on this side. Thank you, Ruth.’

A clearly unimpressed Ruth replied, “Well, I only had two words left to say,” and looked away from the camera.

Speaking about the incident on the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine in February 2022, Eamonn went public in his condemnation of Phillip, saying that Ruth is one of many people in the industry who are “disapproved” by the presenter.

He said, “Phillip is known for snubbing people. He is very passive-aggressive. It’s up to Ruth to say how she felt, but I felt hurt for her. No one would have snubbed me like that.’

He added. “I don’t like presenters who think they have a special privilege or aura or influence.”

Target: Eamonn then lashed out at Phil and Holly again in September, accusing them both of ‘lying’ that they hadn’t skipped the line to see the Queen laid out

Criticism: The presenters were furious after footage emerged showing them ‘appearing to be skipping the line’ as tens of thousands of mourners waited patiently

Eamonn and Ruth and Phil’s uneasy relationship was brought to light in front of a live television audience during the 2020 NTAs, when Phillip presented a trophy won by This Morning to Ruth during an acceptance speech, giving her a chance to say a few words .

And in the press room afterwards, as the This Morning team posed with their trophy, Eamonn tried to take the gong from Phillip, suggesting he took all the credit.

Despite the obvious tension between the trio, Eamonn and Ruth hosted This Morning the following month for a segment in which Phillip came out.

Phillip, sitting on the couch next to Holly, hugged Ruth and Eamonn several times, saying “thank you” over and over to his co-hosts.

After being praised by Ruth for his bravery, Eammon added, “Phillip, no one should be ashamed of their sexuality.

“It’s wonderful that so many people will be strengthened by what you said.”

‘Fired’: Meanwhile, Eamon also made his feelings known on Twitter when he responded with praying hand emojis to a user who wrote, ‘They (Holly and Phillip) should be fired, Eamonn and Ruth are much better than those idiots’

Angry: He attacked Phil for claiming he would leave of his own accord after 20 years, stating: ‘He got fired’

Two years later, Ruth and Eamonn were controversially suspended from This Morning after 15 years for being a regular on the Friday show – now hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond.

Eamonn was particularly saddened by being fired by ITV, claiming he was never given a proper reason.

His culling was made even more frustrating by his belief that Phillip had received unwavering support from ITV despite his deviant behaviour, a belief shared by Phillip’s former co-presenter Fern Britton and Amanda Holden, who briefly teamed with him in 2015 on This Morning presented. while Holly was on maternity leave.

Since his departure from the ITV show, Eamonn has berated Phillip and Holly on numerous occasions, namely when they were accused of queuing to see the Queen laid out in September.

But his obvious disdain for Phillip was compounded during his public spat with Holly, which ended his 20-year association with This Morning, finalized last Saturday after two weeks of speculation.

Speaking to GB News on Monday, Eamonn addressed the terminology used in Phillip and Holly’s statements following the former’s departure – adding that he knows industry figures who would like to see them both.

He said, “All that ‘I’ve decided to resign’ nonsense.” I’m sure you did – here’s your P45 resign now.’

Of Holly, he added, “And she’s like, ‘Oh, the couch won’t be the same without it being there'”. Well, she wished he wasn’t there. So what is she whining about. I think they deserve each other.’

He continued, “Holly is as foul as he is and no one is talking about the elephant in the room.

She says, ‘I thank him for all his knowledge, experience and humour.’ All the things she didn’t have when she came on the show. Well, it’s true! I would call that a stab in the back.

“I could give you a list of the lack of friendliness and the lack of awareness of both. How they would socialize, and the people around them.

“Just look at my phone, full of people happy to see the backs of those two.”