Phillip Schofield and Ruth Langsford’s This Morning feud explained
23 May 2023, 13:19 | Updated: 24 May 2023, 09:58
What happened between Ruth Langsford and Phillip Schofield? The This Morning presenters’ fall out explained...
This Morning has been hit by controversy after Phillip Schofield dramatically left the show following 20 years.
It was previously reported he had fallen out with co-star Holly Willoughby, with the pair allegedly 'barely speaking' off screen.
Eamonn Holmes has since spoken out on his ongoing feud with Phillip, while his wife Ruth Langsford also reportedly argued with the presenter. Fans even noticed the pair having a very frosty exchange last week.
But what really happened between Phil and Ruth?
What started Ruth Langsford and Phillip Schofield's feud?
Back in 2019, it was reported that Ruth made an official complaint against Phil following an incident which saw him interrupt her while she was presenting a preview of Loose Women.
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In the clip, Ruth can be seen slamming her pen down in fury as Phil cuts her off mid sentence saying there was no time to finish.
A source told The Sun at the time: “Ruth and Eamonn both appear to be treated harshly by Phillip.
"After Phillip literally cut her off in the middle of a sentence on air when she was hosting Loose Women she decided enough was enough. Yet again nothing changed.”
But a spokesperson for ITV denied the claims, saying: “It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.
"Phillip is a much-respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.”
Heart Breakfast's Amanda Holden went on to praise Ruth for making a complaint against Phil on the show.
As Ashley Roberts referenced the ongoing drama during her showbiz news, Jamie Theakston said: "If only we had someone here who could shed some light..."
Amanda then laughed and added: "Jamie, listen, I have drawn a line... all I will say is I admire anyone who sticks up for themselves as it's not an easy thing to do."
She added: "There is a tin opener and a can somewhere, and other people have found the opener."
What happened between Ruth Langsford and Phillip Schofield at the NTAs?
When This Morning won Best Live Magazine Show at the NTAs 2020, viewers noticed an awkward interaction between Phil and Ruth.
After Holly Willoughby began her speech, Phillip went on to say: “We have an amazing team…you are the best team on the telly, we love you so much, we love getting up in the morning and standing on the shoulders of all the hard work that you’ve done.”
He then added: “Eamonn and Ruth, your Fridays are fantastic, we love you so much. You should say something too, I think.”
Ruth stepped forward and said: “Thank you so much. It’s an absolute honour for us to go on that show every single day, we love it, because we know you love it, and you’re the people who vote for us.
"Thank you to all the people standing on this stage but mostly thank you to you all for watching.”
Have Phillip Schofield and Ruth Langsford made up?
The presenters seemingly put their bad feeling behind them as they shared an emotional hug on This Morning when Phil came out as gay.
But it looks like this truce didn't last for long, as Ruth's husband Eamonn took aim at Phillip in an interview last year.
Labelling him "passive-aggressive", Eamonn told Daily Mail: "Phillip is renowned for snubbing people.
"He's very passive-aggressive. It's up to Ruth to say how she felt, but I was feeling hurt for her. No one would have snubbed me like that.
"I have a good Belfast street fighter in me… I would be direct. I don't go for presenters who think they have a special privilege or aura or influence."
He has also slammed Phil and Holly and said they deserve 'a special award for best actors' amid their fallout.
He went on: "They may or may not be together on the telly today. He's brought in lawyers, she's brought in a PR team.
"The public surely will suss that there's no chemistry, that it's a broken fit between the two of them and that This Morning does not depend on who presents it."