Awkward? Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ignore reports of rift on This Morning

On first show since rumours of spat, pair avoid subject altogether – but viewers say they can see signs of strain

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, the co-hosts of ITV’s flagship daytime TV programme, chose to ignore multiple headlines about their off-air feud as they tried to present a cosy front on the studio sofa.

Following days of front page headlines about reports of their strained relationship, Monday’s show opened with a review of the papers that avoided the subject altogether.