Even while soaking up the sun on a family holiday in Portugal, Holly Willoughby still managed to send a heartfelt message to her former best friend Phillip Schofield — just as he went public with his new relationship.
The 43-year-old TV favourite was seen smiling brightly as she carried a large watermelon and a pack of Coke Zero back to her car on Thursday. The relaxed holiday moment took place in the same picturesque resort where she once enjoyed getaways with Phillip, before their friendship famously collapsed.
Her trip comes just days after Phillip, 63, was photographed enjoying an afternoon out in London with his new partner, nurse Joshua Luke Sharman. The pair spent time together at the Arzner Bar & Café in Bermondsey — the city’s first LGBTQ+ dedicated cinema — before strolling arm-in-arm across Bermondsey Square. With summer temperatures soaring, Phillip looked a little worse for wear, but had Joshua by his side as a steadying presence.
Phillip, who came out as gay more than five years ago, appeared carefree and content — and Holly’s public show of support for him has not gone unnoticed. Sources close to the This Morning star say her message was a simple “blessing” for Phillip to “move past the past and live as his true self,” a remark that has sparked speculation that their once-close friendship could be rekindled.
The pair’s relationship was shattered after Phillip admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague on This Morning. Things worsened after Holly learned details about allegations involving Phillip’s brother, and their feud became public when Phillip referred to her as “one of the three s***s of showbiz” during his Channel 5 comeback Cast Away.
Phillip accused Holly of betrayal, suggesting she played a role in pushing him out of ITV. Holly had previously spoken of feeling deeply hurt by Phillip’s dishonesty when he initially denied the affair, only to admit the truth in a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail in May 2023.
In that statement, Phillip confessed:
“I am making this statement via the Daily Mail, to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading… I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
Now, with both stars seemingly moving forward — Phillip embracing a new chapter with Joshua and Holly enjoying a carefree holiday — some fans wonder if her warm words could be the first step towards healing old wounds… or if time alone has quietly erased the bitterness of the past.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
