Graham Norton calls Holly and Phil ‘foolish’ as he claims he turned down queue jump pass | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Graham Norton, 59, has said Phillip Schofield, 60, and Holly Willoughby, 41, were “foolish” to think they wouldn’t receive backlash about skipping the regular queue to see the Queen’s coffin. The This Morning pair sparked uproar after they were seen being escorted to a different area past other mourners at Westminster Hall.

The presenters were given media accreditation to film for the show like other broadcasters, however their actions left many angry.

Graham Norton, 59, has now said he was offered to skip the regular queue by an MP, but refused to do so as he feared backlash.

The host explained that there was a two-tier system for the occasion and not just one queue for everybody.

He added: “You could queue jump! Yeah. Now I got offered a queue jump ticket by a friend of mine – he’s an MP and he said, ‘do you wanna come?’

READ MORE: James Whale demands This Morning shake-up amid Holly & Phil queue row

In a VT reflecting on the Queen’s funeral, she explained: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall.

“It was strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK, who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.

“The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back, in contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.”

Holly continued: “We, of course, respected those rules, however, we realise it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction.