Huw Edwards takes subtle swipe at ‘VIP queue jumpers’ Holly and Phil

Huw Edwards couldn’t help but make a dig at Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield during his BBC News broadcast following accusations they jumped the queue to see the Queen lying in state.

The This Morning presenters have been the subject of a fierce backlash after they appeared inside Westminster Hall on Friday to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, without having taken part in the public queue.

The ITV programme’s bosses denied claims they skipped the queue, however, that hasn’t stopped fierce criticism online or even a petition for them to be axed from television altogether.

Edwards became the latest star to throw shade at Holly and Phil and took a swipe at them during the BBC News coverage on Sunday night.

‘There have been quite a few familiar faces in the queue for that lying in state at Westminster Hall,’ Edwards began.

‘We did of course see a certain David Beckham there on Friday. He was widely praised for queueing for hours and hours, not jumping the queue because he’s a superstar VIP.’

‘No, he was in the queue for many hours and good for him,’ Edwards added.

Viewers were quick to notice the jibe and rushed to social media to comment.

One wrote: ‘Loving the fact Huw Edwards has just had a pop at Holly and Phil live on air

Another added: ‘Huw Edwards taking a swipe at Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield skipping the queue, he chose violence 😭.’

This Morning insisted that Holly and Phil appeared at Westminster Hall to report on the event as media.

In a statement posted on Instagram, bosses claimed the pair were filming a segment due to air on Tuesday’s show.

‘Hello everyone, we would like to clarify something,’ the statement read. ‘We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film 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.’

Some media and MPs were able to bypass the queue, which extended many hours, to access the site after its doors opened to the public on Wednesday.

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