Phillip Schofield's desperate last text to Holly and how they've healed rift

11 October 2023 , 08:41

1170     0

Phil and Holly used to present together (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby's friendship breakdown has been no secret to the public - but it seems they may have made up.

It's been reported that Phil sent his former best friend a desperate last text in order to save their friendship earlier in the year. The pair called time on their friendship after presenting This Morning together when Phillip left ITV due to having an affair with a younger male colleague.

Since then Holly has presented the show without him, until she stepped down herself on Tuesday evening. At time of his departure, the 61-year-old said that he messaged Holly but had received no reply at the time.

Phil reached out to Holly (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

He told The Sun: "The last time we had a conversation was when I texted Holly and said, 'Don’t reply' – this was after the statement last week – 'Don’t reply, you’re probably not allowed to, but I am deeply deeply sorry that I lied to you'. And I am. It was the one secret in our sanctuary that was never mentioned."

Despite Holly not replying to that message, it seems the pair have patched up their relationship now. Last week Holly didn't present This Morning as she received kidnap threats and her London home was guarded by security.

Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundaries

Phil has reportedly been in touch with Holly since security guard Gavin Plumb was charged with soliciting a US hitman to commit murder, and incitement to commit kidnap. A source said: "Holly and Phil’s friendship was so close before the events of this year. Phil’s decision to reach out, and the welcome it has been received with by Holly, shows that there is still a bond there. The hope is they can regain some of the ground lost, and support each other again."

On Friday, Chelmsford Magistrates heard that security guard Plumb, 36, of Harlow, Essex, had compiled a "restrain kit" as part of an alleged plan to kidnap the TV star. It was claimed Plumb possessed "weapons" and had contacted a hitman based in America to carry out the "detailed plan".

A source said: "Phil was absolutely horrified to hear she had been allegedly targeted in such a sickening way and decided to reach out to her, in spite of their lack of contact. He wanted her to know he was thinking of her and her family. They’ve so much history, and this is something you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy."

Charlotte Everett