25 September 2023 , 07:59
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Phillip Schofield's affair and his rumoured feud with co-star Holly Willoughby seems like it won't be forgotten anytime soon as a production company are planning an explosive TV drama based on the events.
The rumoured show is said to detail the fallout from the affair and Phil's sudden departure from This Morning. The 61-year-old presenter sensationally quit the daytime show back in May amid growing reports of tension between him and co-star Holly. There had also been claims of a 'toxic' atmosphere backstage on the ITV show, all of which has been denied by bosses. Just days later Phil sensationally cut ties with ITV altogether and was dumped by his management team YMU when he admitted to having an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a much younger male colleague.
It has been reported the deep details of Phil's affair will play out in the proposed drama. A source said: “A production company’s started work and they think the series would be a perfect fit for Channel 4. The storyline will reflect what went on. People have seen it from the outside but the drama will give a perspective on what may have occurred behind-closed-doors.
The co-stars were once best friends (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The TV drama will document the TV besties' fall out (PA)"It could make for uncomfortable viewing for Phil and ITV," the told The Sun. However, it has been said to be difficult viewing for Holly as well. Talent and PR expert Dermot McNamara told OK!: "I don’t think either Holly or Phil will come out of this looking particularly great. Especially in Holly’s case. There’s still a lot of questions hanging over her about what she knew and what she didn’t know."
Reports suggest the new drama would be titled ‘The Runner’ and would “mirror how the scandal unfolded” up to the point of Phil being dropped by his management as his career came to a spectacular end. They also suggested the show won’t shy away from how Phil allegedly lied to Holly about the affair that was taking place seemingly right under her nose. Fans have already suggested who should play the leading roles, as Sheridan Smith has been deemed a "perfect fit".
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"Cast Sheridan Smith as Holly," a fan wrote on social media, while another added, "Bet Sheridan Smith is going to get the role of Holly Willoughby." Someone else added, "Sheridan Smith has to play Holly." While viewers want James Norton to take on the role as Phil, as well as Michael Sheen, David Tennant and Martin Compston.
After Phil's admission, Holly insisted she had no knowledge of the affair – something Phil backed up. "When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not," she wrote on Instagram. "It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie. Holly."
In his first interview after the scandal erupted, Phillip revealed he'd lost his "best friend" when he chose to conceal the truth from her. He told The Sun: "I’ve lost my best friend. I let her down (Holly). I let that entire show down. I let the viewers down. Holly did not know (about the romance). And she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say, ‘I am so, so sorry that I lied to you’.
"She didn’t reply and I understand why she didn’t reply, as well. So yeah. If anyone is in any way linking Holly to this; that is absolutely, wholly untrue. I had no feud with Holly. She is my TV sister. But quite rightly, when I am in the middle of a s**t show with bad press over something where I have done nothing wrong — in fact, I did everything right — it’s a witch hunt. And that strips that (friendship) away.
"Quite rightly, she is going to take a step back and think, ‘I have to step back from this’, and I understand that completely. As we see now, this is a vicious game and the last thing you want is for something to stick on you. It was becoming bigger than the people we had on the show. I understand that."