Phillip Schofield Defends 'Shameful' Selfie With Boris Johnson

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Phillip Schofield has responded to the backlash he and Holly Willoughby have received after taking a selfie with Boris Johnson.

The pair interviewed the prime minister on Thursday’s episode of This Morning, but the presenters faced criticism for posing for a “shameful” picture with him after their on-air exchange.

As the photo went viral on Twitter, many pointed out the contrast between Phillip and Holly’s approach to the PM compared to how they conducted an interview with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn earlier this week.

Please. Where's the grilling you gave Jeremy Corbyn? #thismorning @Schofe & @hollywills should be ashamed of themselves after that interview All the giggling and coyness from Holly, and then to have a selfie.Really, is that good interview technique? Lost all respect for these two pic.twitter.com/U4u2WilU26
— Jane Kingston (@janeyellen12) December 5, 2019

Then: Phillip Schofield demands Jeremy Corbyn apologise for something he's already apologised for.

Now: pic.twitter.com/vznLrosmEF
— Ben Skipper (@bskipper27) December 5, 2019

#ThisMorning
Wow! The other day I saw news reports with Phillip Schofield screaming at Jeremy Corbyn - whom I'm not a fan of myself - and today he's posing for a selfie with Boris Johnson like a schoolgirl with a crush!
We really do have a fucked up mediapic.twitter.com/DRERBPs7XD
— Mark (@markofbattersea) December 5, 2019

The absolute Jimmy Fallon moment of this election. Shameful #philipschofield #ThisMorning https://t.co/igJfYWhhAx
— SoftMongoose #VoteLabour #SaveNHS (@SoftMongoose) December 5, 2019

@Schofe you could have put this lying charlatan on the spot . Instead the viewers got this . Shameful #ThisMorning pic.twitter.com/2tLh6ZdW5w
— jesuiseu 🇪🇺❄️🕷 (@48notwrong) December 5, 2019

Corbyn gets grilled, Boris gets selfies. Media should come across impartial and show people the same for both parties. Not have a favourable party and try destroying the other one. Disgraceful from media that Boris is getting such an easy ride #GE2019 #ThisMorning https://t.co/gOFZiYA66b pic.twitter.com/IlKoZ4vhBl
— Ben Hadlington (@Benhadlington1) December 5, 2019

So Phil and holly take selfies with Johnson, but badger Corbyn?
Where was Phil asking Johnson to apologise for the constant homophobia, Islamophobia, and racism he spouts?#GE2019 #ToriesOutDecember2019 https://t.co/DipdzulvMZ
— Leah (@leeeeeaah) December 5, 2019

I'm waiting for Schofield to demand an apology from Boris Johnson about his Islamophobia, misogyny, and homophobia. #ThisMorning
— Heidi Biddiscombe (@heidibiddy) December 5, 2019

The interview with Boris compared to Jeremy’s is a disgrace. Holly and Phil should be ashamed of themselves #ThisMorning
— Chlo (@chloagg) December 5, 2019

How most of the British media treat Boris Johnson, helpfully summed up in one picture pic.twitter.com/f2XAYHc4NW
— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) December 5, 2019

Shame on you @thismorning . You would probaly let him get away with murder. No wonder he chose to have an interview by you over one by @afneil. https://t.co/fK5UI9cR7p
— Sami Garratt (@SammGarratt) December 5, 2019

After he and Holly began trending on Twitter over the selfie, Phillip tackled the backlash.

“Can I point out that if Mr Corbyn had asked for a selfie, we would have happily obliged,” he tweeted.

After one user, who hadn’t actually seen the interview, criticised it for being “biased”, Phillip responded: “Perhaps it’s better to judge if you actually had watched.”

Can I point out that if Mr Corbyn had asked for a selfie, we would have happily obliged.
— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) December 5, 2019

Perhaps it’s better to judge if you actually had watched
— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) December 5, 2019

After the interview, Holly and Phil showed This Morning viewers a clip of Johnson appearing not to know how to take the picture.

“It was one of the funniest things. Amazing,” Holly said. “Things you don’t expect to happen…”

Thank you to Phillip and Holly at @thismorning - a good opportunity to talk more about our exciting vision for the country #GetBrexitDone pic.twitter.com/IoFuW1mscO
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 5, 2019

During his interview, the prime minister outlined his vision for Brexit, but did face questioning over his previous comments about Muslims, single mothers and working class people.

Phillip also asked him for an “absolute, rock solid guarantee” that “no part of the NHS will be sold off” in US trade deal talks, which Johnson insisted would be the case.

Corbyn appeared on the ITV daytime show on Tuesday, where he faced repeated questions and demands for an apology over anti-Semitism in the Labour party.

Corbyn appeared on This Morning earlier this week

Johnson’s interview on This Morning came amid ongoing criticism over his refusal to fully commit to an interview with the BBC’s Andrew Neil, as all the other election candidates have done.

Let me get this straight. Boris Johnson can't find any time in his diary over many weeks of the general election campaign to do one half-hour interview with Andrew Neil, like every other leader. But he's got time for this? pic.twitter.com/5d8WxlXhwP
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) December 5, 2019

However, he did tell the broadcaster’s Andrew Marr last week: “I’m perfectly happy to be interviewed by any interviewer called Andrew from the BBC.”

This Morning airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV. Watch the full interview with Boris Johnson below...