Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have addressed the public after being accused of jumping the queue to see the Queen lying in state. Watch the video below:
The popular This Morning presenters travelled to Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the late monarch on Friday (16 September).
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While thousands of people were made to queue for hours through the streets of London to do the same, it appeared the pair were given permission to skip the line after a press gallery for a separate viewing.
Spectators on social media were furious with the ITV duo, who have strongly denied the accusations during Tuesday's (20 September) episode of the show.
After David Beckham was celebrated by fans and the general public for joining the queue at 2:00am and even bringing doughnuts for those waiting, Holly and Phillip's critics were even more harsh.
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In a voiceover recorded by Holly, the 41-year-old admitted it may have 'looked like something else'.
"Like accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall," she explained.
"It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person.
"The rules were we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back.
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"In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin, and were given time to pause.
"None of the broadcasters or journalists there took anyone's place in the queue and no one filed past the Queen.
"We of course respected those rules, however we realised that it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction."
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Holly finished the explanation clarifying that neither she nor Phillip, 60, would skip a queue. "Please know that we would never jump the queue."
The on-air address from the presenting duo comes after This Morning bosses released their own state refuting claims Holly and Phillip were able to jump the line.
The official This Morning Instagram account posted a statement on Sunday (18 September) defending the pair. The statement read: "Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something.
"We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday’s programme.
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"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."
People are still angry with the morning television favourites, with a petition to get the pair axed from This Morning reaching more than 15,000 signatures as of Tuesday, 20 September.
This Morning airs weekdays at 10:00am on ITV.
Topics: TV And Film, ITV, This Morning, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, The Queen
Gregory Robinson