Phillip Schofield was sensationally ousted from This Morning yesterday but is said to have struck a truce and agreed a “compromise” with ITV bosses in a private chat with Holly Willoughby.
The veteran presenter eventually agreed to the channel’s ultimatum that he would step down after 21 years as the daytime presenter amid a falling out with his co-star, who told ITV she no longer wanted to work with him.
Schofield, 61, who appeared to have fled on holiday yesterday to visit his mother in Cornwall, alluded to the feud in ITV’s statement, issued without warning at 3pm.
A source told The Sun: “ITV bosses had to choose which horse to support – Phil or Holly.” And it was clear where their allegiance lay.”
They added, “Holly is the real winner from all of this as she emerged victorious and with class.”
The now-former co-hosts are said to have had a private conversation, presumably on the phone, since Thursday’s show and called for “something of a truce,” the source told the newspaper.
Phillip Schofield was sensationally ousted from This Morning yesterday after co-star Holly Willoughby told ITV bosses she no longer wanted to work with him
Former close friends Schofield and Willoughby, pictured together on Dancing on Ice in 2006, had become increasingly estranged in recent months
The couple were once the king and queen of daytime television. Her reign on This Morning began in 2009
The once inseparable couple had become increasingly estranged in recent months, but the split became final after Mr Schofield failed to tell Ms Willoughby, 42, about his brother’s child molestation trial.
Phillip left the show after frantic meetings between Schofield, his representatives and top ITV bosses. They agreed on a compromise under which he was promised he would be able to host a new show on his own and that talks would continue on existing shows, The Mirror reported.
It’s not exactly clear who will be hosting the show tomorrow – but it will be someone from the This Morning team.
Described as a “broken man,” Schofield is believed to have done his best to stay to the end, and it took “a lot of persuasion” before he agreed to an immediate termination. That means his last appearance on This Morning was last Thursday.
Mr Schofield said: “I’ve always prided myself on covering fascinating stories on This Morning.” But recently, This Morning has become a story 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.”
“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 This Morning viewers.” He made no mention of Ms Willoughby.
The decision was made late Friday after days of crisis meetings at ITV. It was decided to make the announcement yesterday to give Schofield time to leave his west London home, take a break and escape the limelight.
Thursday’s ITV show, which ended Holly with ‘See you Monday!’ while Phil merely said ‘Bye’, sparked viewers’ speculation that he knew it would be his last time on the sofa ‘This Morning’
The couple both commented on Schofield’s departure from the show, with Holly Willoughby saying, “The sofa won’t be the same without him.”
Pictured is Gino D’Acampo making good on his promise that if they won the NTA Awards he would cook naked on This Morning
The split between the couple, pictured in 2014, became final after Schofield failed to tell Willoughby about his brother’s child molestation trial
Not only is he said to have lost his job, but he is also dismayed by his brother Timothy’s 11 child molestation convictions. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Friday.
It is also revealed that there was much argument as to what the exit strategy would be, whether he left immediately or held out until the summer break and quietly not returned.
Ms Willoughby, who has had a hard time sitting next to him lately, hoped the situation would be resolved sooner rather than later.
It comes after weeks of rows between the one-time king and queen of daytime television – with Mrs Willoughby taking the crown from the man who mentored her for 14 years.
Ms Willoughby, who is described as “quietly smart” by those who know her, is said to have told ITV she could no longer share the sofa with him, while making it clear she wanted to stay.
A source said, “It was basically an ultimatum, Holly won the war.” “We say what Holly wants, Holly gets, and a truer word has never been spoken.”
Ms Willoughy also has the full support of Martin Frizell, veteran editor of This Morning.
He is keen to pair Ms Willoughby with Alison Hammond, the former showbiz reporter he promoted to Friday presenter two years ago.
Willoughby, who has been described as “quietly smart” by those who know her, is said to have told ITV she could no longer share the sofa with Schofield (pictured on holiday in Dubai in 2016).
Willoughby said she was “never so proud” of Schofield when he came out as gay in 2020
Presenters have been accused of queuing for last year’s Queen’s funeral, which they denied saying they were working
However, Schofield had the support of Frizell’s boss, ITV daytime head Emma Gormley. Insiders refer to Schofield and Ms. Gormley as “losers.”
This comes after Ms Willoughby was also “sad and upset” after Schofield released a statement on the state of their friendship earlier in the month without consulting her.
She made a brief statement yesterday. She wrote: “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.” She signed the statement with a pink heart emoji.
ITV sources are now expecting an upheaval at Dancing On Ice, the other show that wife Willoughby and Schofield co-host.
One said: “Again, someone needs to pull out, there’s no way we’ll ever work together again.” Schofield will continue to work with ITV.
The Mail on Sunday first revealed that Mr Schofield and Ms Willoughby’s relationship was strained as they were accused of stepping forward to pay their respects to the Queen when she was laid out last year.
But it was the aftermath of Mr. Schofield’s brother’s trial that finally shattered the failing friendship.
The Mail on Sunday also revealed last week how a runner who worked with Schofield “mysteriously” quit his role on This Morning after forging a close friendship with the host.
The man, in his 20s, joined the ITV show Loose Women before leaving the channel entirely.