Holly Willoughby, 38, joined Phillip Schofield, 57, on the This Morning sofa back in 2009.

They appear to have a great friendship on and off-the-screen as they regularly meet up outside of work and even on holiday together.

However, it’s been reported there has been a “strain” between the pair recently, due to a magazine cover where Holly was portrayed in a more positive light.

Holly had a crown photoshopped on to her her head, while Phil looked a little more perplexed.

The Sunday Times magazine feature back in April reportedly saw the publication issue an apology to Phil after he complained.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: “To say there has been a bit of tension is an understatement.

“It all kicked off after Phil and Holly agreed to do the Sunday Times Magazine interview, part of their contractual press obligations with ITV.

“But when the magazine dropped, Phillip was fuming that Holly had a crayon crown airbrushed on to her head while he was crown-less and pictured grumpily looking on in her shadow.”

The source added tensions between the two almost “spilled out” while they were both hosting at the This Morning Live event at Birmingham’s NEC on May 16.

“It quickly became the talk of the set,” they said.

Despite this, the source said their friendship comes first and “nothing will get in the way of that”.

Meanwhile, it seemed the This Morning duo were getting on just swimmingly last week as they enjoyed a lunch together.

After the show wrapped up on Thursday, the presenters joined their other-halves at Mayfair restaurant MNKY HSE.

Holly uploaded a video of herself “whacking” a dessert, in view of her 5.6 million followers.

Revealing it was a “monkey piñata”, the beauty couldn’t have looked happier after being given the opportunity to smash it.

In a slow-mo clip, Holly looked shocked and amused after cracking the elaborate offering in one swing.

Earlier this month, Holly and Phillip joined their families on a sun-soaked trip to Portugal.

Phillip shared videos to his Instagram of himself and Holly catching some rays, whilst holding up a knitted blue bear to the camera.

He went on to upload clips of them struggling to navigate their way home in the dark.

This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30am.

Express.co.uk have contacted Holly and Phillip’s representative for comment. 

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