Thousands Call For Removal Of Show Hosts Who 'Jumped The Queue' To See Queen

At least 14,000 people have signed a petition seeking the removal of two U.K.-based morning show hosts for allegedly "jumping the queue" while visiting Queen Elizabeth's coffin at Westminster Hall.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were filmed skipping the queue as several people waited in line enduring the cold weather to pay respects to the monarch, who died at the age of 96 on Sept. 8.

The pair were hosts of "This Morning" program, which airs on the British television network ITV.

A video shared by Yahoo News shows Willoughby and Schofield, both dressed in black and with somber expressions, walking through the hall on Sept. 16 where the queen was lying in state before her funeral.

The TV network earlier clarified that Willoughby and Schofield did not jump the line and were in the area to report the event.

"We asked Phillip and Holly to be part of a film for this Tuesday's program. They did not jump the queue, have VIP access or file past the Queen lying in state – but instead were there in a professional capacity as part of the world's media to report on the event," it said.

Willoughby broke his silence on the issue Tuesday and said, "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," he added in a statement on the show's website.

Media accreditation was indeed given to journalists who have asked for access to Westminster Hall "for the purpose of reporting on the event for the millions of people in the UK and globally who haven't been able to visit Westminster in person," a U.K. parliament spokesperson told BBC.