Inside Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield's friendship as ITV stars go from best friends to 'barely speaking'

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Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are rumoured to have cooled off their friendship off-screen.The hilarious morning TV duo have hosted This Morning since 2009, and formed an incredibly close relationship away from the cameras.The pair first worked together on Dancing on Ice three years prior to their stint on This Morning - it was there that they developed an amazing chemistry and friendship which has lasted for over a decade.However, it seems their friendship may be on the rocks.

According to reports the close pals' friendship has "cooled" off recently, with Holly keeping her distance from Phil when the cameras aren't rolling.On Thursday's This Morning Phil and Holly put on a united front - which fits with rumours that they are acting "exactly the same" on TV whilst being "separate entities" backstage.

In 2009, when Fern Britton announced she was stepping away from the ITV daytime TV show, a frantic search began to find her replacement reports the Mirror.Phillip claimed Holly was "at the top of everybody's list to pick up where Fern leaves off" and the "number one choice", but it later transpired he was a lone voice in suggesting she should get the presenting gig.Later, Holly revealed that she had heard cruel comments after she was linked to the job, and the only reason she got the role was due to Phil's determination.Their friendship continued to flourish off-screen and during a special episode of Lorraine, which was dedicated to celebrating Phillip's 40 years in the TV industry, Holly thanked her co-host and best mate for helping her secure the role.Describing how she got the job , Holly said: "I thank you every day because I know really you were on your own with that school of thought."It was down to you kind of