Phillip Schofield appeared "anxious" to dismiss rumours of a feud as Ruth Langsford played it "cool" at the National Television Awards last night.

The pair appeared onstage together to collect a prize for This Morning, and fans pointed out how tense they looked together.

Body language expert Judi James has now decoded the "frosty" appearance, revealing Phil, 57, seemed concerned about keeping up appearances.

However, Judi suggests it was Ruth's wink and her "cool" demeanor that gave away her true feelings as she backed away from giving making any truly warm gestures towards him - despite Phil's gushing speech about her.

Judi explains it was actually Holly Willoughby who did the best job of trying to mend fences.

She says: "Did Ruth just wink at Phillip Schofield or did an eyelash just fall into her eye?

"With rumours of rifts refusing to go away for the This Morning presenters it was actually Holly who made a sterling attempt to physically and verbally nail any idea of friction between herself and Phillip by placing her arm around him and praising him as she held their award aloft.

Phillip Schofield put a hand on Ruth Langsford's arm on stage

"There was physical closeness between the pair of presenters and Phillip stood in modest, semi-compliant compliant mode with his hands clasped in front and a humble, lip-clamped smile on his face as Holly performed her PDA.

"With Ruth and Eammon coming up behind though it was always going to be an interesting line-up though.

"While Holly gushed love Ruth managed to achieve some more complex signalling, looking both friendly and borderline cool at the same time."

Ruth took centre stage during the speeches

Judi goes on to explain that Phil was keen to put on a united front as Ruth seemingly remained distant.

She adds: "Phillip’s glance around to Ruth as they stood together did make it look as though he was anxious to ensure she and Eammon got to share the moment in the spotlights and as he turned his head to Ruth she did seem to perform a small wink, which is normally a tie-sign that suggests affirmation and even friendship.

"What might have given the impression of awkwardness was that Ruth’s lips remained closed as she looked at Philip and it was only when she looked at the audience that we got a teeth-baring grin of happiness.

The couples appeared to split off in the winners room

"Philip did put his arm out to her and he also touched her arm in a polite clasp and he did praise Ruth and Eammon in his speech but instead of going for some non-verbal gush Ruth restricted herself to some slightly pursed-looking lips and a forward hand clasp that mirrored Philip’s pose but which also restricted the touch and hug rituals.

"It was the eye-connect and quick, subtle eye-acknowledgment between Ruth and Phillip that maybe should have signalled they were a frost-free zone.

"But with fans maybe expecting them to fall into one another’s arms for a more dramatic PDA it probably wasn’t enough to keep the rumours from rumbling."

Ruth allegedly lodged an official complaint against Phil back in April last year after he interrupted her live on air during a crossover.

Phil posed for a selfie with the This Morning crew - with Ruth standing well away from him

The tension appeared to spill out onto the stage at the NTAs when the This Morning crew went up to get their best Live Magazine Show prize.

The presenters didn't look at each other as they made their way up to the podium, and NTAs viewers noticed the "awkward tension" as Phillip made a point of giving Ruth time to say some words, but she did not reciprocate.

Thanking the team, Phillip said: "Eamonn and Ruth, your Fridays are fantastic. We love you so much. You should say something I think."

Ruth kept looking forward as she thanked Phillip, who touched her arm, for his kind words.

Phillip then moved aside to let Ruth shuffle past as she picked up the award from Holly Willoughby.

Ruth said: "Thank you so much. Wow, what an achievement. It's an absolute honour for us to go on that show every single day. We love it because we know you love it.

"10 years in a row is an absolutely amazing achievement. It's like a juggernaut we get on air every day. Thank you to everyone on stage."

ITV bosses have refuted rumours of any unrest between any of the talent, saying: "It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip."
