Phillip Schofield has left his role on This Morning after 21 years as presenter with immediate effect.
The 61-year-old TV presenter has retired from the show following reports of a feud with his co-host Holly Willoughby, with Thursday May 18 being his last show ever.
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.”
End of an era: Phillip Schofield has quit his role on This Morning after 21 years as a presenter
Tension: The 61-year-old TV presenter has retired from the show after reports of a feud with his co-host Holly Willoughby (pictured on his last show on May 18)
“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 said: “It’s been over 13 great years hosting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all his knowledge, experience and humor.” the sofa doesn’t feel like it anymore.’
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.”
Holly posted a separate statement on her Instagram account, which read: “Hi everyone… it’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for everyone to thank his knowledge, experience and humor.’ Without him, the sofa won’t feel the same anymore.’
Holly will return to This Morning on Monday 5th June after taking early semi-annual leave from Monday 22nd May.
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.
Feud: 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)
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.”
Holly shared her own statement, which read, “I want to take this opportunity to thank the film for all its knowledge, experience and humor.” The sofa won’t feel the same without him.
Surprisingly, Phillip broke his silence earlier this month, stressing that there have been no arguments with his 14-year-old co-host after a spate of controversy, including the child molestation convictions of Queuegate and his brother Timothy.
As Phillip admitted “the last few weeks have not been easy for us,” sources close to Holly told Web that they had no idea Phillip would make a statement. They added that she first saw it when it was posted online.
“The last few weeks have not been easy for any of us. “Like I said before, Holly is my rock,” Phil told The Sun.
“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 bosses were said to be in a crisis over the move, and there were reports that Holly wanted to end their working relationship for good.
There has been talk of why their 14-year reign as “best friends” is over, but the Mail’s Katie Hind has been told that at the heart of the dispute is a dispute over whether Phillip confided in Holly that his brother Timothy, A Police IT staff charged with child molestation.
Friends say Holly was groping in the dark until Phillip took a week’s leave from ITV daytime to avoid the limelight while the trial was taking place last month – something he is struggling to deny.
Timothy Schofield was convicted of 11 felonies and sentenced to 12 years in prison on May 19.
Speaking up: Phillip broke his silence earlier this month, stressing that there had been no arguments with Holly after a series of controversies including the child molestation convictions of Queuegate and his brother Timothy
Controversy: Phillip said his family went through “a real ordeal” after his younger brother Timothy (pictured) was convicted of child molestation
Backlash: Last year, Holly and Phil were criticized for claiming they “skipped the line” to see the Queen’s funeral. Holly is said to have been distraught over the riot
Sources close to Holly claimed she was “deeply upset” that she found out from a third party what was going on.
Not long ago, the two were undeniably close.
The duo became “good friends” after first meeting on Dancing on Ice, and have presented “This Morning” together since 2009.
Holly was also described as Phillips “rock” when he came out as gay live on This Morning in 2020.
Having had a turbulent few months, Phil took a break from work when his brother was convicted of child molestation.
Timothy Schofield, 54, has been found guilty of 11 counts of sexual offenses against his underage victim – with whom he viewed porn during a sex act.
After his brother was found guilty, Phil took to social media and said, “As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a brother anymore.”
In his statement, released Thursday after their reappearance on This Morning, Phil said his family went through “a real ordeal”.
History: The presenter duo (pictured in November 2009) have worked together for more than a decade after Holly replaced Fern Britton as Phillip’s co-host in 2009
Support: Holly was also described as Phillips “rock” when he came out as gay live on This Morning in 2020
Denying rumors of a feud, he said: “Holly’s support has meant a lot to me throughout, as has 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 was herself suffering from shingles.”
The pair were once an incredibly close TV double.
After winning the 2016 National Television Awards, they arrived at their slot looking hungover from the previous night’s party.
Her support when he came out as gay makes it all the more surprising that Schofield kept the allegations against his brother a secret.
He said Holly was his “absolute rock” once again, but her friends told a different story.
One said: “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.’
Yesterday a spokesman for the 42-year-old declined to comment when asked if she had been kept in the dark about the court case. Schofield said it was “categorically untrue.”
During Phil’s absence from ‘This Morning’, Holly was paired with Alison Hammond and the ITV bosses have been reportedly over the moon with the chemistry between them and are now looking at further ways to bring them together, with Hammond at the heart of the 35th birthday celebrations of the Series will be available in October.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s television director, has always been close to Phil, as has daytime director Emma Gormley and This Morning editor Martin Frizell.
But the star recently lost the support of Frizell – who was once so loyal to him that he “had to take the bullets fired at Schofield”.
Sources close to Frizell, husband of former GMTV host Fiona Phillips, said he was “tired of clearing up Schofield’s mess.”
Recent controversy included his refusal to address skipping the line for the late Queen’s funeral last September.
A source said, “Martin and Phil were once so close, a real team.” “Martin is an old-fashioned TV man who believes in loyalty, but things have changed.”
In recent weeks, Frizell has been seen “with a face like thunder” sitting in the canteen while the show aired. He was usually “jumping up and down the gallery and the studio,” according to sources.
Meanwhile, a source close to Holly told Web’s Dan Wootton: “The argument with Phillip has been going on for quite some time.”
“There is also a degree of concern for Holly that some of the scandals surrounding Phillip could tarnish her reputation.”
“There’s an understandable element of, ‘I need to think about my career too.’ She has sought advice from (her husband) Dan (Baldwin) and ITV on that.
“This isn’t about the last few weeks, it’s about a few months.” She was always loyal to Phillip and loved working with him.
“But she’s also worked so hard to build her own reputation, so she can’t risk Phillip tearing her down.”
There have been arguments behind the scenes on the series for some time, and the pair are reportedly more distant than ever.
Phillip joined This Morning in 2002, where he co-hosted with Fern Britton for seven years before Holly joined in 2009.