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Amanda Holden hails This Morning presenters for ‘taking on’ Phillip Schofield in new swipe at her TV foe

She's spoken out on the latest round of tabloid allegations

Amanda Holden has waded back into her spat with Phillip Schofield after praising TV figures for allegedly ‘taking on’ the This Morning host.

Phillip, 57, has been dogged by allegations he is embroiled in a series of feuds with his daytime TV co-stars, with reports claiming his relationship with Holly Willoughby has become strained and Ruth Langsford has made an ‘official complaint’.

And despite suggesting her issues with Phil are in the past, Amanda looks to have opened up old wounds by having her say on the claims.

Speaking on her Heart Radio show, Amanda admitted her public falling out with him may have helped open the doors for the series of stories about Phillip.

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Read more: ITV slams claims Phillip Schofield is ‘feuding with This Morning co-stars’

“Listen, I’ve drawn a line under all those issues with Phillip,” she insisted. 

She then continued: “I’m just going to say I really admire anyone that’s going to stick up for themselves because it’s not an easy thing to do. 

I really admire anyone that’s going to stick up for themselves.

“There’s a tin opener and a can somewhere and other people have found the tin opener.

“That’s all I’m saying.”

Holly has also been drawn into the allegations (Credit: ITV Hub)

Read more: Katie Price calls out Phillip Schofield for scolding her for saying n-word on live TV

It was reported over the summer that Amanda had got the hump with Phillip because he ‘blocked’ the Britain’s Got Talent judge from filling in for Holly Willoughby on the ITV daytime show while Hols herself stepped in to replace Ant McPartlin during last year’s I’m A Celebrity.

A TV insider was quoted as telling The Sun: “Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle Humes to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced — and having been told privately she’d got the gig.”

“She feels Phil unfairly used his powers of persuasion. She was told he’d chosen Rochelle because she was easier to ‘manage’ on air – and understandably that incensed her.”

“Things are increasingly toxic when the cameras stop rolling, and a few ITV people are secretly delighted that things are starting to emerge.”

Could Phil and Amanda kiss and make up? ICredit: ITV)

Claims of a ‘toxic atmosphere’ resurfaced in the most recent round of tabloid allegations.

However, TV bosses have rounded on the reports and defended Phillip against the “malicious” claims.

In a statement, an ITV spokesperson said: “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.

Phil and Holly on This Morning earlier today (Credit: ITV Hub)

“Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.”

Amanda later took a dig at Phillip on her radio programme when asked what three things she would not like to find in her home.

She replied: “Spiders, flies and Phillip Schofield.”

ED has approached representatives for ITV and Phillip for comment.

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Robert Leigh
Freelance writer

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