Eamonn Holmes has broken his silence after Phillip Schofield announced on Saturday he was leaving “This Morning” after 21 years on the show.
It comes after Eamonn, 63, launched a savage attack on his former This Morning co-stars Phillip and Holly Willoughby on Monday morning, insisting they should get off the show.
Broadcaster Phillip, 61, said in a statement this weekend about his exit: “I’ve always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning.” But lately, 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.”
Eamonn, who previously co-hosted This Morning with his wife Ruth Langsford, took to Twitter hours later to break his silence as he shared a picture of himself with his granddaughter.
Speaking up: Eamonn Holmes, 63, has broken his silence after Phillip Schofield announced on Saturday he was leaving ‘This Morning’ after 21 years on the show (Eamonn pictured with his granddaughter on Saturday)
Opinion: It comes after Eamonn launched an attack on his former ‘This Morning’ co-stars Phillip and Holly Willoughby on Monday morning, insisting they should get off the show
Cryptic? Eamonn, who previously co-hosted This Morning with his wife Ruth Langsford, took to Twitter hours later to break his silence
He wrote: “Dad got a slap.” Thanks Emilia. All in all it rounded off a good day.”
Phillip Schofield announced on Saturday that he was stepping down from hosting This Morning after 21 years over his alleged feud with Holly Willoughby.
In his statement, he 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.
Holly said: “It has been over 13 great years of hosting This Morning with Phil and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his knowledge, experience and humor. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s chief executive officer for media and entertainment, said: “Phillip is undoubtedly one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for two decades of absolutely amazing TV 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.”
On the airstrike: It comes after Eamonn launched an attack on Phillip and Holly during his GB News show on Monday, saying they should quit ‘This Morning’ rather than harm the show
All stars: Eamonn was previously part of the This Morning family (left) along with his wife Ruth Langsford from 2006 to 2021 (pictured in February 2020)
Holly will remain on the This Morning sofa with other members of the ITV family after a break and Phillip will present other primetime projects.
It comes after Eamonn launched a savage attack on Phillip and Holly, saying they should quit ‘This Morning’ rather than harm the show.
Eammon called the partnership “a rupture” when discussing the aftermath on his GB News show.
Referring to Sunday night’s BAFTA TV Awards, which neither Phil nor Holly performed at, Eamonn quipped, “I think there should have been a special award for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for Best Actor.”
“Maybe they’re on TV together today, maybe they’re not.” He brought in lawyers, she brought in a PR team. “The public will surely suspect that the chemistry isn’t there, that the two aren’t right together and that on This Morning it doesn’t matter who presents it.”
The former This Morning star continued: “It’s an institution, it will continue to exist no matter who presents it and anyone can check the ratings, there is no difference whether they present it or someone else.”
End of the trail: On Friday, Holly said “See you Monday” as the show ended, while Phil simply told viewers, “Bye!”
Eamonn co-hosted the ITV daytime program with his wife Ruth Langsford from 2006 to August 2021, until he was ‘dropped’ from ITV and replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
Meanwhile, Phil and Holly both looked serious as they headed off to work early Monday morning while they were on the show This Morning together despite their degenerating relationship.
It turns out Phil has been sensationally ousted from This Morning after co-star Holly told ITV bosses she no longer wanted to work with him.
The veteran host eventually agreed to the network’s ultimatum that he quit after 21 years as the daytime show host over a falling out with his co-star and former close friend.
Phil – who appeared to have fled on holiday on Saturday – alluded to the feud in the ITV statement, made without warning at 3pm.
History: The presenter duo (pictured in November 2009) had worked together for more than a decade after Holly replaced Fern Britton as Phillip’s co-host in 2009
The once inseparable couple had grown increasingly estranged in recent months, but the split became final after Phillip failed to tell Holly about his brother’s child molestation trial.
The shocking announcement comes days after hectic meetings between Phillip, his representatives and ITV’s top bosses amid the row between the presenters.
Described as a “broken man”, Phillip is believed to have made every effort to see through to the end and it took “a lot of persuasion” to agree to an immediate termination. That means his last appearance on This Morning was last Thursday.
The decision was made late Friday after days of crisis meetings at ITV. It was decided to make the announcement yesterday to give Phillip time to leave his west London home, take a break and escape the limelight.