Rochelle Humes has been one of very few ITV stars who have paid tribute to Phillip Schofield after he stepped down from presenting This Morning, after 21 years on the show.
Following Phillip's announcement that he would be leaving the show, with his last episode having aired the previous week, Rochelle took to her Instagram Story to pay tribute to her former co-star.
Sharing three snaps of herself and Phil, she wrote: "I’ve proudly been a part of the This Morning family for almost 10 years and over the last few, it has been an absolute pleasure learning so much from you.
"Thanks for all the lessons – you’re a fountain of love, knowledge and laughter."
The pair's friendship dates back to 2018, when Rochelle stood in for Holly Willoughby after she jetted off to host I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Declan Donnelly, after his usual co-host Ant McPartlin took time off from the show.
And while this led to a close friendship between Phil and Rochelle, and it also led to the former beginning a feud with fellow ITV star Amanda Holden.
It was reported, at the time, that the Britain's Got Talent judge was lined-up to replace Holly before Phillip persuaded ITV bosses to hire Rochelle instead, claiming that she would be "easier to manage".
A source told The Sun at the time: “Phillip actively campaigned for Rochelle Humes to get the job despite Amanda being more experienced and having been told privately she’d got the gig.
“She [Amanda] feels Phil unfairly used his powers of persuasion. She was told he’d chosen Rochelle because she was easier to “manage” on air – and understandably that incensed her.”
Since Rochelle and Phil became pals in 2018 Phil has been involved in a number of spats with his fellow This Morning stars, but Rochelle appears to have to have stuck by his side through all of these.
Most recently Phil is believed to have had a falling out with Holly Willoughby, with this being the reason for his rather abrupt departure from the show. He had previously also fallen out with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, who left the show in 2021.
After Eamonn left the show and began fronting his own show on GB news, Rochelle was said to have felt stuck in the middle of the feud, with a source telling Closer: "Rochelle's feeling torn and caught in the middle of the war given her close friendship and loyalty to both of them.
"While she wants Eamonn to know she still supports him, she's also very focused on her presenting career which is thriving thanks to This Morning and that means ensuring she maintains a great relationship both on and off camera with her colleagues, including Phillip."
Rochelle and Phil have seemingly remained on good terms, with the former Saturdays star once again filling in for Holly earlier this year.
The pair's friendship appears to have continued off-screen with Rochelle posting videos and photos with Phil following her 2018 stint on the This Morning sofa.
The duo have also attended numerous events together and were both present to celebrate This Morning's win at the 2022 National Television Awards.
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