Holly Willoughby could depart ITV for the BBC over the queue scandal, say reports.
Holly Willoughby could leave ITV for the BBC
The 41-year-old presenter star - who has fronted ITV's 'This Morning' with Phillip Schofield since 2009 but came under fire when it was alleged that she and her co-host skipped the hours -long line to see the late Queen Elizabeth's coffin lying-in-state in September - has been deemed a “key target” for the public broadcaster, whose head of content Charlotte Moore invited her and her husband Dan Baldwin to the Variety Club Show Business Awards last week.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Holly is very much a key target for the BBC and she was their guest at the Variety Club awards.
“Holly was wined and dined by Charlotte who is keen to get Holly on board for some of their upcoming big shows.
“Her husband Dan is on board and thinks Holly could make great strides at the Beeb.
The source revealed that Holly - who has sons Harry, 13, Chester, seven and daughter Belle, 11, with her television producer husband Dan Baldwin- was “upset” by how her bosses “handled the situation”.
“After the ‘Queue-Gate’ scandal earlier this year Holly felt upset by how ITV handled the situation.
“The BBC have made it clear to Holly how valuable they think she is and would love to get her working on more of their shows.
“The invite to the bash and spending time with the top brass is all part of the Beeb’s plan to woo Holly.”
After the pair were spotted inside Westminster Hall, it was believed they had skipped the miles long line filled with mourners waiting to pay their respects to the 96-year-old monarch - who reigned for more than seven decades - however this allegation was strongly denied by Carolyn McCall, the head of the network, who said they “did nothing wrong”.
At the time, the ITV boss said: "Holly and Phil did nothing wrong. They had accreditation, they were sent to do a piece which ran.
"They were to interview people inside and outside and did not displace anyone in the queue… Holly and Phil have been very misrepresented which is why we made a statement. It just shows how misinformation spreads."
Holly and Phil also addressed the backlash while on-air and explained they were given proper press accreditation.
She said: "Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall. It was strictly for reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person.
"The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
"None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone's place in the queue, and no-one filed past the Queen."
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