This Morning’s Phillip Schofield has issued a statement amid rumours of a rift with co-host Holly Willoughby.

The ITV presenters are reportedly “barely talking”, while a source suggested Holly would be happy to continue presenting This Morning without Phillip.

The duo, who also host ITV Dancing On Ice, have presented This Morning together for the last 14 years.

Breaking his silence on the rumours, Phillip Schofield told The Sun: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.

The Northern Echo:

"My family went through a real ordeal. As I have said before, Holly is my rock.

“We're the best of friends - as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me through thick and thin, and I've been there for her.

"Holly's support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing followers."

A source had told The Sun previously: “Holly adores This Morning and for the first time in 14 years she has made it clear that should Phil ever leave she would want to stay. They are separate entities.

“To those around them on set, it has become clear recently that Holly and Phil are not as close as they once were.

“Professionally you would have no idea there was anything going on because on camera they are acting exactly the same. But behind the scenes their relationship has cooled.

“Before there would be a lot of banter and camaraderie off camera but that has dwindled.

“Holly and Phil have gone through rough patches before like any professional pairing who have worked together for over a decade. Before they have always seemed to move on, but this time it seems different.”