Phil’s ‘bravado fight-back’ and Holly’s ‘anxious and sad’ expression with smile ‘that didn’t reach her eyes’: Body language expert Judi James’ verdict as This Morning co-hosts present show amid ‘bitter feud’
- Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby returned to TV screens today
- Phil’s body language gave him the ‘advantage’ in a ‘bravado fight-back’
Phillip Schofield’s body language today was evidence of a ‘bravado fight back’ amid his public fallout with his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby, an expert has said.
Phil and Holly hosted their hit ITV show but failed to address claims that their relationship is at breaking point and that they barely speak off camera.
The show opened with a piano performance by composer Alan Menken that was clapped avidly by Phil before he was seen cheering and throwing his arms out and then standing with his back to Holly rather than alongside her as normal.
Expert Judi James said the presenter’s movements gave him the ‘body language advantage in what looked like a bravado fight-back, because by the time he turned to Holly her signals of self-diminishing were making her look anxious and sad.’
Ms James added to MailOnline that Holly wore an ‘incongruent mouth smile that didn’t seem to reach her eyes’.
Phillip Schofield’s body language today was evidence of a ‘bravado fight back’ amid his public fallout with his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby, an expert has said
Phil and Holly hosted their hit ITV show but failed to address claims that their relationship is at breaking point and that they barely speak off camera
The presenting pair were back on screens together after Phil called in lawyers over the reaction to their rumoured falling out.
There had been more than 48 hours of crisis talks between the network and the embattled pair over whether one of them, both or neither would be on air today.
Their performances today were described by some viewers as ‘forced’ and ‘painful’.
One wrote: ‘This elephant’s so big, it could fill the room.’ Another added: ‘Are they going to address the elephant in the room? We’re all waiting….’
Ms James, a body language expert, told MailOnline: ‘Phil’s overkill body language this morning included clapping the pianist who had been brought in to start the show as though he’d just played a Rachmaninov concerto rather than a simple tune (smart move as it broke the ice for the couple under scrutiny), cheering and even throwing his arms out to perform a dramatic bow and all with his back to Holly rather than standing alongside her facing the camera as usual.
Ms James pointed out Phil’s ‘overkill body language’ on This Morning today
The show opened with a piano performance that was clapped avidly by Phil before he was seen cheering and throwing his arms out and then standing with his back to Holly rather than alongside her as normal
‘It gave Phil the body language advantage in what looked like a bravado fight-back, because by the time he turned to Holly her signals of self-diminishing were making her look anxious and sad.
‘Her smile was an incongruent mouth smile that didn’t seem to reach her eyes.
‘When Phil finally turned his head towards her and they engaged in telling eye contact Phil was full throttle on signals of perky confidence with his brows raised and a fixed grin, while Holly’s eye expression looked sad.
‘Her raised hand clasp either had the fingers upward in a gesture of protection or the wrists bend to suggest submission rather than fight.
The presenting pair were back on screens together after Phil called in lawyers over the reaction to their rumoured falling out. Above: The pair leaving their respective homes on their way to work this morning
‘But her finger-picking and fiddling and the way she rubbed her hands on her torso hinted at more inner anxiety.’
Ms James then commented on the pair’s exchange after Holly said Disney composer Menken would later perform a medley of some of his best-known songs.
Holly said she would try ‘really hard’ not to sing along,’ before Phil joked: ‘This could be your audition! Oh yes!’.
Ms James said it sounded ‘suspiciously like a double-entendre comment’ to his co-presenter.
It has been rumoured that Holly could anchor the show on her own if Phil departs.
Holly replied: ‘Do you reckon? Is it time?’
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