Introduction

Glastonbury Festival, the iconic celebration of music, art, and counterculture held annually at Worthy Farm in Somerset, is a cultural touchstone that draws over 200,000 attendees each year. Known for its eclectic mix of performances, environmental advocacy, and communal spirit, the festival is a magnet for celebrities and everyday music fans alike. However, the 2025 Glastonbury Festival took an unexpected turn in the headlines, not for its headline acts but for a personal drama unfolding in the public eye. Former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield found himself the target of biting mockery from festivalgoers, while his former co-host and friend Holly Willoughby arrived in high-flying style via helicopter, partying in the VIP section. This article delves into the events, the context of their fallout, and the broader implications for celebrity culture and Glastonbury’s evolving identity.

The Incident at Glastonbury

During the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, which ran from June 25 to June 29, Phillip Schofield, absent from the event, became an unwitting focal point of crowd humor. Festivalgoers, known for their creative and often cheeky banners, hoisted flags during performances that mercilessly mocked the 63-year-old presenter. One prominent banner, spotted during a headline set, featured a throwback image of Schofield from a 2023 interview with The Sun, where he discussed his excessive vaping habits, which had left his hands blistered. The flag’s caption read, “Phillip Schofield’s hands are blistered from vaping too much,” a direct jab at his post-scandal struggles. Other banners reportedly referenced his dramatic exit from ITV, with some carrying messages too crude for mainstream media to reprint.

Meanwhile, Holly Willoughby, 44, was embracing the festival’s VIP offerings. Arriving by helicopter from London—a 136-mile journey that drew criticism for its environmental impact—she was photographed in a chic festival outfit, including a £365 pair of Grenson boots and a £158 Free People blouse, topped with a Stetson hat. Willoughby was joined by her husband, Dan Baldwin, and friends, including former footballer Peter Crouch and his wife, Abbey Clancy. She was spotted dancing and laughing in the exclusive VIP area, reportedly enjoying a 12-hour party that extended into the early hours. According to The Sun, Willoughby was “laughing and joking from the moment she touched down,” mingling with A-listers like Princess Eugenie and actor Jamie Dornan.

The stark contrast between Schofield’s public humiliation and Willoughby’s carefree revelry reignited discussions about their fractured friendship and the fallout from Schofield’s 2023 ITV scandal. While Willoughby appeared to move on, Schofield’s absence and the crowd’s mockery underscored his ongoing struggle to escape the shadow of his past.

The Backstory: Schofield and Willoughby’s Fallout

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby were once one of British television’s most beloved duos, co-hosting This Morning from 2009 to 2023 and Dancing on Ice for multiple seasons. Their on-screen chemistry, often described as sibling-like, endeared them to millions, with Schofield calling Willoughby “the sister I never had.” Off-screen, they vacationed together with their families, and Willoughby supported Schofield when he came out as gay in 2020. However, their relationship unraveled in 2023 following Schofield’s admission of an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague at ITV, whom he met when the individual was a teenager.

The scandal erupted in May 2023, when Schofield resigned from This Morning and was dropped by ITV and his management agency, YMU, after admitting he had lied about the affair to his colleagues, friends, and family, including Willoughby. In interviews with The Sun and the BBC, Schofield revealed the toll on his mental health, describing himself as “broken” and fearing public backlash. He claimed the relationship was consensual and denied grooming allegations, but the power imbalance—given his seniority and the colleague’s youth—drew widespread criticism. Some, including Elton John, argued the media’s reaction was homophobic, suggesting a heterosexual affair with a similar age gap would have been less scrutinized.

Willoughby, blindsided by the revelation, issued a statement expressing her hurt over Schofield’s deception, saying she had supported “someone who was not telling the truth.” Her return to This Morning in June 2023 was emotional, with a tearful address to viewers asking, “Are you OK?” The fallout fueled rumors of a feud, with reports that the pair, once inseparable, had drifted apart. By October 2023, Willoughby also left This Morning, citing personal reasons, but her public appearances, like her Glastonbury outing, suggested she was moving forward, while Schofield remained out of the spotlight.

Glastonbury’s Role in the Narrative

Glastonbury’s 2025 mockery of Schofield was not a new phenomenon. In 2023, similar banners targeting his vaping habits and ITV exit appeared during the Arctic Monkeys’ set, with one flag quoting his Sun interview: “Phillip Schofield says he’s vaping so much his hands are blistered.” The recurrence of such taunts in 2025 suggests that Schofield’s scandal remains a potent source of public fascination and humor, amplified by Glastonbury’s tradition of satirical flags that often reference pop culture scandals.

For Willoughby, Glastonbury 2025 was a chance to reclaim her public image. Her helicopter arrival, while glamorous, drew criticism from locals and eco-conscious fans who viewed it as hypocritical given Glastonbury’s sustainability ethos. The festival bans single-use plastics, promotes renewable energy, and encourages public transport, yet the influx of celebrity helicopters—reportedly five in a single day—clashed with these values. A Pilton resident told the Daily Mail, “It’s antisocial and not in the spirit of Glasto.” Social media posts on X echoed this, with one user writing, “Holly Willoughby’s chopper to Glastonbury is peak privilege—green festival, my foot.” Despite the backlash, Willoughby’s vibrant presence contrasted sharply with Schofield’s absence, highlighting their divergent paths post-scandal.

Public Reaction and Media Amplification

The Glastonbury incident dominated tabloid headlines and social media, with outlets like The Mirror, Daily Record, and OK! Magazine covering the juxtaposition of Schofield’s mockery and Willoughby’s partying. X posts amplified the narrative, with users sharing images of the flags and debating the fairness of Schofield’s treatment. Some expressed sympathy, noting his mental health struggles, while others saw the banners as harmless festival banter. One post read, “Phil’s getting roasted at Glasto again—those flags are savage but can’t say he didn’t bring it on himself.” Another user defended him, writing, “Leave Phillip alone. He’s human, made mistakes, and paid the price.”

The media’s focus on Willoughby’s VIP lifestyle versus Schofield’s ostracism fueled speculation about their relationship. Reports suggested Willoughby was keen to distance herself from the scandal, with her Glastonbury appearance signaling a fresh chapter. However, the flags mocking Schofield likely served as an unwelcome reminder of their shared history, even as she danced with A-listers in the VIP Winnebago area.

Glastonbury’s Evolving Identity

The Schofield-Willoughby saga at Glastonbury 2025 reflects broader tensions within the festival itself. Founded in 1970 by Michael Eavis as a hippie gathering with £1 tickets, Glastonbury has grown into a global spectacle with £385 tickets and corporate sponsors like Vodafone. The rise of VIP culture—luxury campsites like Camp Kerala, exclusive bars, and helicopter arrivals—has sparked accusations that the festival is losing its egalitarian roots. Critics argue that celebrity privilege, exemplified by Willoughby’s chopper, undermines Glastonbury’s commitment to sustainability and community.

The mockery of Schofield, while humorous to some, also highlights how Glastonbury’s crowd uses satire to hold public figures accountable. The festival’s flag-waving tradition has targeted everyone from politicians to pop stars, but the focus on Schofield’s personal scandal suggests a public still grappling with his fall from grace. This dynamic underscores Glastonbury’s dual role as a cultural celebration and a platform for social commentary.

Implications for Schofield and Willoughby

For Schofield, the Glastonbury mockery is a painful reminder of his tarnished legacy. Since leaving ITV, he has kept a low profile, spotted only occasionally in Cornwall, where he was described as “very tired” and withdrawn. His mental health struggles, detailed in 2023 interviews, have garnered some sympathy, but the festival’s banners suggest public forgiveness is elusive. Schofield’s future in television remains uncertain, with no reported projects since his 2023 exit.

Willoughby, by contrast, appears to be rebuilding her career. Her Glastonbury appearance, despite the helicopter controversy, showcased her resilience and star power. However, her association with Schofield, however distant, continues to resurface, as evidenced by the festival flags. Her challenge will be navigating public scrutiny while maintaining her image as a relatable, eco-conscious figure—a task complicated by her high-profile lifestyle.

Conclusion

The 2025 Glastonbury Festival became an unexpected stage for the ongoing saga of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, two former friends whose paths have starkly diverged. Schofield’s savage mockery via festival flags reflected a public still captivated by his 2023 scandal, while Willoughby’s glamorous helicopter arrival and VIP partying highlighted her efforts to move forward. The incident, amplified by tabloids and social media, underscores the complexities of celebrity culture, where personal failings are publicly dissected, and privilege is both celebrated and criticized.

For Glastonbury, the episode raises questions about its identity as a festival of inclusivity and sustainability in an era of growing elitism. As the Schofield-Willoughby drama fades from headlines, it leaves a lingering reminder of how quickly public favor can shift and how festivals like Glastonbury can amplify personal narratives on a global stage. Whether Schofield can reclaim his place in the public eye or Willoughby can fully escape the shadow of their shared past remains to be seen, but for now, Glastonbury 2025 has cemented their story as a cultural footnote in its storied history.