Kerry Katona has hit out at Phillip Schofield, accusing the “king of ITV” and his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby of “double standards”.
The former Atomic Kitten singer has spoken out against Phillip, amid various claims about his conduct behind the scenes of the ITV daytime show.
Back in 2008, Kerry gave a now-infamous interview on This Morning, where she was accused of slurring her words, but claimed that Phil and Holly’s hungover appearance on the show following their NTAs win in 2016 was evidence that Phillip “can get away with anything”.
Writing in her New magazine column, she said: “Everyone thought I was pissed – which I wasn’t – and ever since it’s been harder to get work as people see me as liability.
“So you can imagine how upsetting I find it when Holly and Phil come on the show hungover the morning after the NTAs – one time Holly had a stain down her dress and Phil was still in his suit – and everyone celebrates it like it’s the funniest thing in the world.
“That to me just screams double standards.”
Kerry continued: “When you’re the king of ITV you can get away with anything – yet people think I’m pissed on the show and it nearly ruins my career. Funny that.”
Phillip has been at the centre of reports that he has become embroiled in a feud with co-presenter Holly Willoughby and he had contributed to a “toxic” atmosphere behind the scenes of the daytime show.
The Sun also claimed regular Friday presenter Ruth Langsford had made a formal complaint to ITV about his conduct.
Earlier this week, Phillip branded the reports a “shame” in an interview with the Daily Star.
“What has been said is a shame. When something like this happens it’s a shame,” he told the paper. “But I won’t let this ruin my Christmas.”
He continued: “Everyone at This Morning was like, ‘what the hell?’. The atmosphere in our studio is so wonderful. There’s such a lovely team. Everyone is lovely.”
Addressing the reports of a fall out between him and Holly, Phillip went on: “We are so open on the show, we are so open online and we go on holiday together...
“So it’s not as if we have anything to defend. Can you imagine a feud between us ever happening?”
An ITV rep previously said: “It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.
“Phillip is a much respected broadcaster and colleague and this is absolutely not a description of This Morning that we recognise.
“Holly and Phil are great friends both on and off screen and are popular among viewers and colleagues alike.”