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DEPUTY PM Oliver Dowden took a brutal swipe at Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield today, slamming their relationship as fake.

Mr Dowden was hitting out at Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner before he quickly turned on the This Morning Presenters.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby suffered another blow today as the Deputy PM Oliver Dowden described their on air relationship as fake
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Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby suffered another blow today as the Deputy PM Oliver Dowden described their on air relationship as fakeCredit: ITV
At PMQs Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are the Holly and Phil of British politics
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At PMQs Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are the Holly and Phil of British politicsCredit: PA

At PMQs the Deputy PM said: "We all know what's going on with Angela and Keir.

"It's all lovey dovey on the surface, they turn it on for the cameras, but as soon as they're off, it's a different story."

"They're at each other's throats. They are the Phil and Holly of British politics."

It's the second time a cabinet minister has compared Sir Keir to the feuding TV pair.

This morning Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the opposition chief's position on house-building is "as cosmetic as the on air relationship between Holly and Phil".

The Commons quip comes as Holly left Phil to present alone today - leaving fans gobsmacked.

The presenter exited This Morning early to fulfil a prior commitment – in an extraordinary and unheard of move for the star.

Holly, who spent yesterday presenting an award for Princes’ Trust, revealed: “I have put my posh dress on today because later on this afternoon I am heading to Buckingham Palace and there the King will be and we will get to introduce the winners.”

Phil quipped: “So you are off mid dayish and I am holding the fort.”

The decision to leave in the middle of the show comes as the TV stars' feud rumbles on, amid reports Phil is set to get the axe.

Insiders say many believe that time is finally up for 61-year-old Phil, who has hosted the ITV juggernaut since 2002.

This Morning’s boss Martin ­Frizell could also be in line for the chop, according to staff — as ITV top brass attempt a major overhaul of the embattled series.

However those working on the daytime show say they understand that popular co-presenter Holly Willoughby’s job will be safe.

A source said: “This Morning is preparing for some seismic changes this summer — and Phil is lined up as the first major name for the chop when his contract expires this summer.

“It’s highly unlikely he’ll be back in September.

“Plans are being drawn up for a new look This Morning and, at the moment, Phil is not featuring in them. He has worked on the show for over two decades. Many feel it is time for some fresh blood.”

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It comes after The Sun revealed that Phil and Holly — who sparked controversy by jumping the queue to see the Queen lying in state last September — are barely speaking off camera.

Since Holly and Phil’s rift was revealed by The Sun last week, fans of the daytime show have flooded social media with calls for a change.

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