Holly Willoughby

ITV presenters addressed the backlash live on the programme this week, saying they would 'never jump a queue'

“I have so much respect for you... [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) “We did of course see a certain David Beckham there on Friday. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. “They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world’s media to report on the event,” producers said in a statement. [Spice Girls star Mel B praised Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mel-b-holly-willoughby-phillip-schofield-queue-jumping-b2171036.html) for queueing for seven hours to see the Queen. [Huw Edwards subtly took aim at those who “jumped the queue”](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/queen-funeral-lying-in-state-huw-edwards-b2170192.html) as he praised David Beckham for waiting in line for 12 hours after reportedly [turned down the chance to use a special access queue](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/david-beckham-queen-queue-coffin-b2169362.html). [many famous figures still queued to see the Queen lying in state](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/queen-lying-in-state-celebrities-who-queued-b2170171.html). [Sign up](https://amzn.to/3wUCpW9) [Change.org petition](https://www.change.org/p/axe-philip-schofield-and-holly-willoughby-and-end-toxic-daytime-tv) calling on ITV to “axe” Willoughby and Schofield for “pushing past those thousands [in the queue] and getting immediate access” to Westminster Hall. [the pair addressed the issue live on the programme](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/holly-phillip-queue-jump-this-morning-b2171034.html), with Willoughby telling audiences: “Please know that we would never jump a queue. [the pair were accused of “skipping the queue”.](/arts-entertainment/tv/news/holly-willoughby-phillip-schofield-b2169430.html) [ITV denied this allegation](/news/uk/holly-willoughby-morning-phillip-schofield-westminster-hall-susanna-reid-b2169559.html).

Holly Willoughby called lawyers over 'damaging' allegations she and Phillip Schofield queue jumped to see Queen lying in state.

An ITV source added: ‘We absolutely made it clear at the time that it was part of a broadcast due to air on Tuesday. Willoughby and Schofield addressed the backlash on This Morning during a controversial tribute to the Queen, saying that they did not take anyone’s place in the queue. [added to The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/19864325/this-morning-holly-willoughby-quit-queue-jumping/): ‘She’s tried to give their side of the story on the show today and they’re both hoping to move on from it now. [that they didn’t skip ahead](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/20/this-morning-holly-willoughby-and-phillip-schofield-address-queue-jump-17414516/), an online petition [calling for them to be axed](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/20/this-morning-petition-hits-13000-signatures-amid-queue-jump-backlash-17413977/) from television has been signed by over 30,000 people. [This Morning](https://metro.co.uk/tag/this-morning/?ico=auto_link_entertainment_P1_LNK1) presenter [Phillip Schofield](https://metro.co.uk/tag/phillip-schofield/?ico=auto_link_entertainment_P1_LNK2) queue jumped to see the Queen lying in state. [ pictured inside Westminster Hall](https://metro.co.uk/2022/09/16/sombre-holly-willoughby-and-phillip-schofield-visit-the-queens-coffin-17389005/) last week to pay their respects without having taken part in the public queue.

A petition calling on ITV to sack This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield passes 35000 signatures. : entertainment tv news petition ...

We of course respected those rules. In a pre-recorded voiceover, Willoughby insisted that they had not jumped a queue and were in attendance as press "strictly for the purpose of reporting". She said: "None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no-one filed past the Queen.

Beloved This Morning presenters Phil and Holly are under fire after seemingly jumping the queue to see the Queen's coffin.

[The Change.org petition](https://www.change.org/p/axe-philip-schofield-and-holly-willoughby-and-end-toxic-daytime-tv) has now surpassed 37,000 signatures, with the description stating that ‘ITV should be ashamed of exploiting the situation’ and allowing the pair to ‘push pass thousands’ that had been waiting overnight. [37 million people watched](https://themanc.com/news/37-million-viewers-in-the-uk-watched-queen-elizabeth-iis-state-funeral/) the funeral in the UK alone and it is thought to have been one of the most watched events in history, with an [estimated 4.1 billion tuning in](https://www.newsweek.com/queen-elizabeth-funeral-tv-broadcast-viewership-audience-1744187) around the world. [Energy bills to be halved for UK businesses for next six months](https://themanc.com/news/energy-bills-to-be-halved-for-uk-businesses-for-next-six-months/) [People are absolutely fuming over the price of the new England kit](https://themanc.com/sport/new-england-shirt-price-outrage/) [Northern council could become first to charge second home owners double council tax](https://themanc.com/trending/northern-council-could-become-first-in-england-to-charge-second-home-owners-double-council-tax/) “It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who have not been able to visit Westminster in person.” [ITV](https://themanc.com/tag/itv/) duo being escorted around the gates lining the 13-hour-long queue and straight into Westminster Hall. [Queen Elizabeth II](https://themanc.com/tag/queen-elizabeth-ii/)‘s coffin during her state funeral on Monday, 19 September and people have been left outraged.