Holly Willoughby has released a statement after Phillip Schofield quits This Morning.
After more than 20 years on the ITV show, Phillip has stepped back from This Morning, having presented his last episode on Thursday 18 May.
The broadcaster has co-hosted the multi-award winning show for two decades, and will continue to present peak time shows for ITV including next month’s The British Soap Awards and a new prime time series, ITV said during a statement.
Holly Willoughby Statement: After Phillip Schofield Quits This Morning
Phillip also released a statement, which read: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
“Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind. I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
His co-host Holly said: “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 all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.
“The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
Holly will remain on This Morning and will co-present with members of the This Morning family
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director, Media and Entertainment added: “Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa.
“This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce 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 to come.”
Some reports have alleged that the Holly and Philip’s relationship off-screen has come under strain in recent weeks.
Philip, who recently returned to the show after taking pre-planned leave during his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month, previously released a statement to suggest that ‘the last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us’.
“As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone,” Philip said.
“Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin.
“And I’ve been there for her.
“The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”
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Ex-ITV employee calls for CEO to stand down over Phillip Schofield ‘cover-up’
A former ITV employee has called for the CEO of the broadcaster to stand down over an apparent Phillip Schofield ‘cover-up’.
The former This Morning presenter has admitted this evening to having an affair with a younger colleague on the show while he was still with his wife Stephanie Lowe, and before he came out as gay in 2020.
In a statement exclusively provided to the Daily Mail, Schofield said: “I am making this statement via the Daily Mail to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story which they wanted to write about me a few days ago.
“The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning.
“I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship.”
It continued: “I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife.”
The TV presenter added that he has also stepped down from hosting the British Soap awards next month, as well as leaving ITV with immediate effect.
While Schofield may no longer be employed by ITV, some are calling for the CEO of the company, Carolyn McCall, to leave her post as well.
Dan Wootton, who worked as a reporter on ITV’s Lorraine for eight years, alleges the execs at ITV were part of a ‘cover-up’ for Schofield.
On Twitter, Wootton wrote: “Woke ITV CEO Carolyn McCall happily gets rid of Piers Morgan, Jeremy Clarkson, Carol McGiffin and Jeremy Kyle, but allowed her senior executives to cover up for Phillip Schofield for FOUR YEARS.
“They must all step down now.”
The post has been retweeted by former Loose Women presenter Carol McGiffin, who has previously labelled Schofield as ‘rude’.
In a segment on GB News earlier this month, McGiffin recalled being interview by the 61-year-old on This Morning back in 2010.
“He wasn’t very nice to be honest,” she said.
“He treated me like, ‘Oh another loose woman with another book.’ I kind of get that, but he was so not interested it was a struggle.
“I was giggling, actually laughing because I couldn’t believe he was being so b****y rude.”
An ITV spokesperson told LADbible: “We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield.
“The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.
“We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.”
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