In additional proof that the UK has had a really uncommon media week, two high-profile British TV presenters have been compelled to defend themselves, after receiving an enormous backlash from different mourners and commentators on social media for showing to leap the queue at Queen Elizabeth II’s mendacity in state.
The queue has develop into traditionally lengthy within the final week, with 1000’s ready as much as 24 hours to file previous the Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall and pay their respects to the late monarch.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, who co-present ITV’s daytime present This Morning and are very acquainted faces to followers, visited Westminster Hall on Friday – at a time when the queue to get in was briefly paused, as a result of over-capacity.
Critics had been swift to level out that the pair had allegedly queue-jumped, which in current days has develop into a heinous motion, with the queue for the Queen changing into a totem for all that’s good and truthful within the UK, with tales of strangers making mates through the lengthy wait, camaraderie, equity and consideration for others.
Amidst the backlash, This Morning has launched an announcement defending the pair, explaining they had been there on work functions:
“Hello everybody, we wish to make clear one thing.
“We requested Phillip and Holly to be a part of a movie for this Tuesday’s programme.
“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.”
An ITV spokesperson additional informed MailOnline: “This Morning had press accreditation and like different media, Phillip and Holly had been escorted to work from the press gallery by authorities workers.
“They did not file past The Queen’s coffin. They were there alongside a host of other broadcasters and national press outlets for an item that will be broadcast on Tuesday’s show. Any allegations of improper behaviour are categorically untrue.”
However, critics have swiftly identified that their subsequent TV look might be on Tuesday, by when there might be no lying-in-state information to report – and nor are they journalists often despatched out to report.
Other well-known figures, together with David Beckham, Tilda Swinton and journalist Peter Hitchens (brother of Christopher) all queued up for hours with different mourners to make their entry into the Hall.
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