Phillip Schofield has been tipped to host a rival morning TV show on Channel 5 or return to the West End after leaving This Morning with immediate effect.
The 61-year-old star could be offered a multi-million pound deal by the broadcaster that would rival the ITV show he has hosted for 21 years, experts have told Web.
After his success on stage as the lead in ‘Joseph and the Incredible Technicolor Dreamcoat’ he might also decide to ‘go on stage’ again in the West End or do a panto run for big bucks.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told Web he predicted Channel 5, which was courting the BBC’s Dan Walker for £1.5million a year, would be raring to go to offer Schofield an equally big deal for a morning TV show .
Mr Ede said: “He’s a bankable star and still a big name for many,” adding that his past as a DJ at BBC Radio 1 means he could also return to the Beeb and perhaps lure listeners back to Radio 2.
“He was a very big music star, doing West End shows like Joseph and Dr. Doolittle sold out, he might think about going back on stage or touring in a pantomime,” he added.
Phillip Schofield has been tipped to host a rival morning TV show on Channel 5 or return to the West End after leaving This Morning with immediate effect
Philip in his Technicolor dream coat in 2021 at Dancing on Ice. He could return to the West End or feature in a panto run for big money
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s chief executive for media and entertainment, has also expressed his interest in keeping Phillip with the channel with a “brand new peak time series”.
Following Schofield’s departure, he said, “Phillip is undoubtedly one of the finest presenters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades of absolutely terrific television shows on the This Morning sofa.”
“This Morning is produced by one of the finest and hardest working teams in television, producing over 12 hours of live television each week.”
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip, starting with the British Soap Awards in June and a brand new Peak Time series.”
PR master Mark Borkowski told Web: “He’s an aging talent.” These are difficult times for him. He was dogged by so many negative stories.’
He said ITV had already tried to replace him before announcing he was leaving the show.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told Web that Schofield may be leaving ITV, perhaps to set up a rival for Channel 5’s This Morning, which is spending money to sign stars like Dan Walker.
He said, “I think Phillip is a very popular TV presenter who has had many, many successful years on screen.” He still has a lot of fans and I think there are plenty of other opportunities that will come his way, too when his on-screen relationship falters. He’s a bankable star. His popularity will help him overcome the current hurdles.”
He added, “Maybe another station will take him on, or he’ll work in radio for a while as that’s also lucrative and popular and he has a great knowledge of music.”
In a statement released on Saturday, Phillip said: “I’ve always prided myself on covering fascinating stories on This Morning.” But recently, This Morning has become history itself.
“Throughout my career in television – including the very difficult last few days – I have always tried my best to be honorable and kind.
“I understand that ITV has decided the current situation cannot continue and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.”
Phillip said: “I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect in the hope that the show can see a bright future.”
Phillip’s dramatic departure from This Morning comes after reports he and Holly weren’t as close as they used to be and barely spoke to each other off-camera (Phillip pictured May 16, 2023)
“As such, I have agreed to step down from This Morning, effective immediately, in the hope that the show can see a bright future.”
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially the amazing viewers of This Morning – and see you at the Soap Awards next month.”
Holly Willoughby broke her silence after Schofield’s resignation statement, which made no mention of his co-star and boyfriend.
She said: “It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all his knowledge, experience and humor. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’
So what’s next for the show that started in 1988 and was hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan? Alison Hammond, of course.
ITV bosses can’t get enough of the presenter they’ve relegated to show business for years.
She is due to be the center of attention at the 35th birthday celebrations in October and is set to support Ms Willoughby as the full-time presenter of the programme.
As for Mrs Willoughby, she has grown closer and closer to Mrs Hammond.
The pair recently enjoyed a night out together, with Ms Willoughby introducing the former Big Brother star, 48, to her famous friends including Emma Bunton and Nicole Appleton.
Holly Willoughby broke her silence after Schofield’s resignation statement, which said, “The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond on “This Morning” with Penny Mordaunt and Gyles Brandreth today. Ms. Hammond is considered the favorite to succeed Schofield after his departure
Controversy: Phillip said his family went through “a real ordeal” after his younger brother Timothy (pictured) was convicted of child molestation
Phillip took a pre-arranged period of leave last month in connection with his brother’s sexual abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court.
Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sex offenses involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two counts of sexual activity with a child.
After that controversial period, Schofield stunned Ms Willoughby and his ITV colleagues when he released a statement to The Sun, which said: “Like I said before, Holly is my rock.”
“We’re best friends – as always she’s an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.” Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I was there for her.
“The last few weeks have not been easy for any of us. And Holly’s support everywhere meant a lot to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.
“And of course Holly herself had shingles.
Off-screen, the pair are said to “barely talk to each other.”
There has been talk of why their 14-year reign as “best friends” is over, but the Mail was told the crux of the argument was a dispute over whether Schofield confided in Ms Willoughby that his brother, who was a police officer, was IT worker has been charged with child molestation.
Friends say Ms Willoughby was groping in the dark until Schofield took a week’s leave from the ITV daytime program to avoid the limelight while the trial took place – something he is struggling to deny.
Sources close to Ms Willoughby claim she was “deeply upset” that she found out from a third party what was going on.
One told Web: “The statement came out of nowhere for Holly and was disturbing.” What a betrayal. It feels like Phil is taking care of himself here with no regard for her.
Not long ago, the two were undeniably close.
Not long ago, the two were undeniably close. After winning the 2016 National Television Awards, they arrived at their slot looking hungover from the previous night’s party
After winning the 2016 National Television Awards, they arrived at their slot looking hungover from the previous night’s party.
And when Schofield left his family in 2020 and told viewers live on This Morning that he was gay, wife Willoughby was by his side. He described her as his “rock”.
Your support at such a pivotal moment in his life makes it all the more surprising that Schofield kept the allegations against his brother a secret.
He says Ms Willoughby has once again been his “absolute rock” but her friends tell a different story.
One says, “Holly had to find out from someone else what must have been awful for her.” She was so loyal to him.
“It was awful for them, they were pretty much inseparable for 14 years. They’ve been through so much together, some happy and some really hard. But now their once close friendship no longer exists.’
It was, of course, 61-year-old Schofield who chose Ms. Willoughby as his new pal in 2009 after Fern Britton left the show.
But now, ironically, it seems like she’s surpassing him on the show he’s been hosting for 21 years.
Ms Willoughby “has no plans to leave”, according to sources close to her.