Phillip Schofield has been accused of “blaming women” for his downfall.
The presenter, 62, publicly fell out with Holly Willoughby last year after she admitted having a “reckless” affair with a junior colleague.
He has since expressed his frustration on his comeback show Cast Away, which aired on Channel 5 last week, in which he took point to those ‘who betrayed him’ 16 months ago when he left ITV’s This Morning.
One showbiz insider told MailOnline: “You can see what Phil is doing, he’s angry and taking advantage of his moment in the spotlight, throwing more mud while people are interested in him.”
‘Phil’s career ended because he lied, he quit ITV when he lied about having an affair with a much younger colleague. Saying this is Holly’s fault is just ridiculous. Talk about blaming the woman.
‘Confessed liar’ Phillip Schofield has been accused of ‘blaming women’ after rekindling his feud with former best friend Holly Willoughby (pictured May 2023)
Meanwhile, Holly’s friends point out the fact that she was left completely justified in her fight with Phillip after it emerged that he had lied about his relationship with a younger colleague.
Holly said last year that he had been dishonest with her about the matter, as he had also been dishonest with ITV, his agent YMU and her family. He also lied to the Mail about it and admitted the truth in a statement last May.
“Phil is a self-confessed and proven liar, so the things he says should be taken with a pinch of salt,” said a source: “He lied to his colleagues, to his employers and to the media, let’s not forget.”
Now the star has been labeled vindictive after text messages revealed he told Holly she ‘brought him down’ shortly before he quit This Morning last year.
Friends of the disgraced presenter say he sent her the accusation in a WhatsApp message and said she should have supported him publicly after their fight.
He then blamed her for not doing so, saying it led to his retirement after 21 years on the ITV show.
Phillip had asked her for a public show of support, such as a statement or a photo together, hoping it would stop accusations that they had fallen out.
The message, which was revealed to the Daily Mirror on Monday, has reignited a dispute between the couple that began last spring.
Phillip has expressed his frustration on his comeback show Cast Away, which aired on Channel 5 last week, in which he took aim at those “who betrayed him” 16 months ago when he left ITV.
Another factor in their fight was said to be that Holly was unaware of the full details of her pedophile brother Timothy’s crimes.
While she and ITV were aware of an upcoming trial last March, it is understood Phillip did not tell her the full extent of it.
Following rumors that they had fallen out last May, Phillip left Holly devastated when he made a public statement to discuss their friendship.
He said: ‘The last few weeks have not been easy for any of us. Like I said before, Holly is my rock.
‘We are best friends; As always, she is incredibly supportive on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.
‘Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her.
Friends of Holly said at the time that her outburst had “surprised” her.
Phillip retired from This Morning days later on 20 May.
He said in a statement: “I understand that ITV has decided that the current situation cannot continue and I want to do everything I can to protect the show I love.”
“So I have agreed to leave This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward into a bright future.”
Although he left This Morning, he was due to present the Soap Awards a week later for ITV and network bosses had given him a new prime-time show.
He later resigned after admitting an affair with his colleague.
Following rumors that they had fallen out last May, Phillip left Holly devastated when he made a public statement to discuss their friendship (pictured in May 2023).