This Morning ratings plunge by thousands as Holly and Phil still refuse to acknowledge feud
THIS Morning has suffered a major ratings plunge after Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield failed to address their rumoured feud for a second day in a row.
The presenting pair faced a second day together after their “awkward” reunion on the ITV daytime programme yesterday.
As turmoil continues to engulf the show, the pair put on a united front as they appeared via video link on Lorraine ahead of going live at 10am.
But cracks showed within seconds as Phil “drowned out” Holly with a loud laugh as the pair spoke over each other.
Lorraine promised a “great show” from Holly and Phil “as usual” as she handed over to the duo after discussing the best post-party snack.
Phil jumped in to reveal: “Either a bacon sarnie or a KFC for me.”
Holly attempted to interject as Phil roared with laughter, speaking over him to say: “Macaroni cheese for me, all the stodge.”
The pair failed to glance at each other during the exchange.
Now, it has been revealed that This Morning has suffered a ratings plunge on their second day back on the sofa.
Figures showed that the programme has shed 170,000 viewers in a week – with peak viewership also down.
According to numbers obtained by the , Monday’s episode had an average of 726,720 viewers – compared to 894,000 on the same day last week.
While their peak viewer number dropped from 1.058million earlier this month to just 914,000.
Last Monday, Rochelle Humes and Craig Doyle presented the Bank Holiday special of the show – bringing in high figures.
The Coronation weekend saw more telly fans at home and able to tune in for the daytime programme, which airs from 10:30 to 12:30, Monday to Friday.
In a very awkward moment later on, Holly and Phil were told a “tricky phase is ending” live on This Morning by a top astrologer.
The hosts stayed silent after Hagan Fox delivered his prediction amid their friendship fallout.
“Jupiter is moving into Taurus for the first time in 12 years,” he revealed. It’s the best news for each and every one of us.
“It’s been in Aries for 12 years which is kind of a tricky phase.
“This is now about happiness. This is about self-care, self-love and just having a ball.”
Holly raised her eyebrows and attempted a smile, while Phil replied: “Lovely, thanks.”
Later they were talking about today’s top stories, which included a row between office workers.
A protective employee padlocked their milk in a shared office fridge – but was called out by colleagues.
Phil said: “We were talking about this before the show. Student fridges.. if you’re sharing a flat or sharing spaces, you know…”
Holly interrupted to say: “Maybe unless you’re in that situation you don’t know how bad it can get.”
Mum-of-three Holly also appeared to be wishing time away as she got confused by the date of today’s show.
Money expert Martin Lewis admitted he didn’t know what date it was, with Holly jumping in: “I think it’s the 18th, isn’t it.”
After being corrected, she added: “Oh the 16th. Oh my God, I’m fast-forwarding. I’m in the future.”
The 18th is her final day on This Morning alongside Phil for the week.
Holly and Phil came to a truce in order to present the ITV show together yesterday.
Despite growing tension behind the scenes, the former best pals attempted to disguise their rift in front of This Morning viewers.
Many had chosen to tune in for the first time – just so they could watch the body language between them.
Phil took three weeks off the show in March as his brother Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of child sex offences.
He is due to be sentenced next week.
After news broke about Holly and Phil barely speaking off-camera, Phillip stated: “My family went through a real ordeal.
“And Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.
“And of course Holly has herself been ill with shingles.
“Whatever happens, we still have each other to count on.”
Phil lobbied for Holly to join This Morning as co-presenter when Fern Britton, 65, left the show.
Holly joined him in 2009 and the pair — who also co-host Dancing on Ice — have earned 12 National Television Awards between them.
