Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby say Covid has left them so on edge even giving cash to viewers leaves them fighting back tears.

The This Morning stars revealed the past year has tested them to their limits, with even the daily Spin to Win competition shredding emotions.

But speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mirror, the best pals said the crisis had made their friendship even stronger than ever.

Phillip, 59, confessed he could cry at “the drop of a hat” when euphoric callers pocket the big-money jackpots.

He said: “When a Spin to Win winner says, ‘Oh my God, you’ve been amazing’. I’ve entered since the start’, that kind of thing.

Holly and Phil have opened up on struggles during the pandemic (
Image:
ITV)

“You’ve got to be quite careful because I think we’re all on the edge, you could cry at the drop of a hat.

“It’s so hard sometimes and you think, ‘You have to centre yourself’.

“We are all on the brink of tears all the time, so it doesn’t take much to push.”

Reflecting on lockdown, the stars revealed how grateful they are for the little things – and friendship.

Phillip said: “It’s made me appreciate work and friendship. It’s also made me appreciate the small things in life that when we can get them all back, I don’t think I’ll ever take them for granted again.

Even This Morning's daily Spin to Win contest has left them emotional (
Image:
ITV)

“I’m not even fussed about vast international holidays and things like that, I just want to sit in my garden with some mates.”

Holly, 40, added: “I think it’s those small things, those small liberties that you take for granted that you never thought that anybody would take away from you ever.

“I’ve learnt so much and I hope a lot of the things that I’ve learnt will stay with me. It’s funny, because I can see it with the kids as well, I think all generations are going through it.”

This Morning has recently scored its highest ratings in 19 years with figures shooting up by almost 50% year on year.

More than 10million tuned in during the first week of lockdown in 2020 as we faced up to the reality of the pandemic.

And Holly and Phil said viewers and their reactions to the show had been a source of strength to them both.

The popular pair carried on presenting throughout lockdown (
Image:
ITV)

“I think knowing what you were doing was being well received made all the difference,” Holly said.

“We’ve been told by viewers we were like the nation’s comfort blanket, which is just amazing.”

Phillip added: “The viewers were our comfort blanket too.

“I mean we’re lucky because of the job that we do with that extended family, so you have support from viewers.”

Phillip and Holly have been a regular fixture on This Morning for 14 years are also there for each other as best friends.

When Phillip revealed he was gay – after 27 years of marriage – he said Holly was “like therapy”.

Both dismissed recent rumours of a rift between them as “nonsense.”

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