Tensions in the British media never seem to cool down, especially when it comes to public figures like Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield. Co-hosting her much-loved Heart Breakfast show with Jamie Theakston, Amanda found herself in a familiar controversy. The exchange this Tuesday with guest Jack Whitehall, while supposed to be light entertainment ahead of the BRIT Awards, took a sharp turn as Jamie jokingly name-dropped Phillip Schofield on air. Amanda’s immediate response cut through the banter:
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“Oh God, please, let's not mention that name on air, it's a family show!”
The brief moment of tension spoke volumes about unresolved grievances simmering beneath the celebrity gloss.
The roots of a public feud: Opportunity lost and words unspoken
This wasn’t just an off-the-cuff reaction. Amanda and Phillip’s history is well documented across Daily Mail, The Sun, and Hello! Magazine. Their working relationship began back in 2014, co-presenting ITV’s daytime staple This Morning while Holly Willoughby was on maternity leave. It was a brief pairing soon overshadowed by disappointment. By 2018, Amanda was considered the front-runner to stand in for Holly again – only to be overlooked in favour of Rochelle Humes. According to a former daytime TV executive quoted by The Sun:
“Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced - and having been told privately she’d got the gig.”
ITV attempted to calm the waters with an official statement:
“Presenter line ups on This Morning change regularly and final decisions on these line ups are made by producers and not the presenters. Phillip Schofield is a much loved broadcaster and part of the ITV family. He is a consummate professional and held in high regard at ITV. Amanda is also held in high regard as a judge on one of our biggest shows.”
No burger and fries moment: Media scrutiny and personal silence
The snub stung. Amanda, never shy about her feelings, has publicly admitted several times that the experience left her “very let down.” She even relayed her attempts to patch things up:
“I did offer to meet him for a coffee months ago, he didn't reply to my text. What can I say?”
Her willingness to joke about the impossibility of a reconciliation – “I doubt it. I'm a vegetarian Jamie.” – only underscores how deep the rift runs. Jamie Theakston, perhaps trying to lighten the mood, eventually told Amanda on air:
“I've moved on from it, Jamie, you need to move on from it.”
Yet, the saga continues to be dissected by outlets and listeners alike.
Meanwhile, Phillip has remained largely silent about the feud except for the occasional remark. To Heat magazine in 2015, he described Amanda as someone who:
“kept me on my toes. She has a faulty edit button and she forgets she’s on the telly, which is enormously endearing and funny, but occasionally quite scary.”
After speculation about a formal complaint from Amanda, Phillip voiced his own frustration via Twitter:
“When you try for 35 years to be the easiest, most fun person to work with and you read such hurtful and wildly untrue stories from nameless ‘sources’. Obviously I’ll take it on the chin... I just hope you know me better.”
Community reaction: Still fuel for headlines
Amanda’s Instagram activity after Phillip’s 2023 exit from This Morning – specifically, a strongman emoji – prompted waves of public interpretation. Was it a subtle jab or simply a coincidence? The British public and media can’t seem to let go of their on-air dynamics, dissecting every social media post and archived quote. The ongoing narrative has made Amanda and Phillip’s work – and their fallouts – a true staple of UK entertainment debate. With both stars continuing public-facing roles, it’s anyone’s guess whether the cameras will ever capture a truce or if headline-makers will always find fresh fuel in this made-for-radio rivalry.
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Sources used:
Amanda Holden abruptly halts her show over Phillip Schofield feud - swiping 'let's not mention that name on here'
Amanda Holden's 7-word response to awkward Phillip Schofield comment on radio show
Amanda Holden STOPS radio show and tells off co-star for raising Phillip Schofield feud
