Fans convinced Holly Willoughby knew Phillip Schofield was leaving This Morning

People are still reeling following the news that Phillip Schofield has resigned from his post on This Morning after 20 years.

It came following reports of a feud between the two presenters.

Addressing the rumours earlier this month, Phillip had insisted that, while the past few weeks hadn't 'been easy', he and Holly were 'the best of friends'.

ITV/This Morning

Although their long-awaited return to the This Morning sofa on Monday (15 May) seemed relatively normal, fans were convinced that they spotted some tension by the time Wednesday's show came around.

While they come to terms with the presenter's shocking announcement, fans have been rewatching one of Schofield's last appearances on the ITV programme, and noticed that something seemed a little off.

ITV

In a clip from Wednesday's show (17 May), Holly can be seen visibly leaning away from Phillip, who is sitting beside her.

Noting Holly's body language at the time, viewers took to Twitter to discuss the way she tilted her body away from him during one particularly uncomfortable segment.

"#ThisMorning Holly acting so awkward, won't even look at Phil." tweeted one concerned viewer.

Another joked: "I just saw ten minute[s] of #ThisMorning. It was like watching a hostage situation."

But, now that Phillip has announced his departure from the show, fans are looking at the awkward encounter through a different lens.

Re-sharing the clip to TikTok, user @amybluebrill suggested that perhaps Holly knew that she and Phillip were about to part ways.

"She knows something... Body language is off and the look she is giving him," Amy wrote in the video's caption.

Others agreed that the tension was undeniable.

"Could not sit further away and still be on the chair," one viewer commented.

"Wow that body language," wrote a second.

A third agreed: "There's no way this doesn't mean something, like-."

Another pointed out that Holly was 'nearly hanging off her seat'.

LADbible has approached a representative for Holly Willoughby for comment.

ITV

Just days after that awkward segment aired, Phillip announced that he would be leaving This Morning for good.

In a statement released on Saturday (20 May), he said: "I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.

"Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind. I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.

“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”

Holly also released a statement about Schofield's news, telling fans: “It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him."