Phillip Schofield quits This Morning – live: Amanda Holden appears to share dig at ITV presenter’s exit

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Holly Willoughby has thanked her outgoing co-star Phillip Schofield for “13 great years presenting” after he announced he was leaving This Morning with immediate effect following a reported feud between the pair.

In a short statement after Schofield announced his departure, Willoughby thanked her former colleague for “all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.” She added: “The sofa won’t feel the same without him."

Schofield, 61, will not return to co-host the morning talk show. with last Thursday’s show being his last.

Willoughby will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”, ITV said.

His departure comes amid reports of a rift between Schofield and Willoughby, and after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Friday, after being convicted of child sex offences.

Schofield said: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But, recently, This Morning itself has become the story.”

Key Points

  • Holly Willoughby issues statement after Phillip Schofield quits This Morning

  • Willoughby to take break from This Morning after Schofield exit

  • This Morning ‘became the story’: Schofield statement in full

  • Schofield quits This Morning with ‘immediate effect'

Holly Willoughby issues statement thanking outgoing co-star

07:26 , Matt Mathers

Holly Willoughby has thanked her outgoing co-star for “13 great years presenting” after he announced he was leaving This Morning show with immediate effect following a reported feud between the pair.

In a short statement after Mr Schofield announced his departure, Ms Willoughby thanked her former colleague for “all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.”

She added: “The sofa won’t feel the same without him."

 (Instagram)
(Instagram)

Did Amanda Holden just throw shade at Phillip Scofield?

10:05 , Roisin O'Connor

Amanda Holden fans think the Britain’s Got Talent judge just took a swipe at Phillip Schofield, following his dramatic exit from ITV show This Morning.

Just minutes after Schofield announced he was leaving the show “with immediate effect”, Holden posted a picture of the “triumphant” emoji, showing an arm flexing its muscles, to her Instagram account.

Holden has previously appeared to express her dislike for Schofield, apparently blaming him for scuppering her chances of hosting This Morning while Willoughby was presenting I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in Australia.

Schofield said that any claim he played a role in Holden missing out on the gig as “malicious gossip”.

Holden previously took a swipe at Schofield after the infamous queuegate scandal, making a sly “get in line” dig while praising David Beckham for queueing for hours to see the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state.

Holly Willoughby to take a break from This Morning after Phillip Schofield exit

08:54 , Roisin O'Connor

Holly Willoughby will take a break from presenting This Morning before she returns to take over the programme as its sole full-time host, ITV has said.

Metro.co.uk reports that ITV has confirmed Willoughby will return to the show on Monday 5 June, having taken an early half-term holiday that will begin on Monday 22 May.

ITV is expected to announce who will host the programme in the interim in due course.

The news comes after Willoughby shared a brief statement to her Instagram Story acknowledging Schofield’s departure. Schofield did not mention his former co-host in his own statement announcing that he was leaving the show with “immediate effect”.

What we know about the Holly-Phil ‘feud'

08:47 , Roisin O'Connor

After a week of rumours of a rift between This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, it has been announced that Schofield will leave the show “with immediate effect”.

His last time presenting the ITV programme was on Thursday 18 May, bringing his presenting role of 21 years to a sudden close.

Here’s what we know about the rumoured fallout between Schofield and Willoughby:

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

OPINION: My sympathies lie with Holly and Phil – I broke up with my ‘Work Wife’ and it broke my heart

04:15 , Nick Ferris

Everyone needs a “work spouse”.

You start out as friends but pretty soon you are sharing pointed looks, finishing each other’s sandwiches and are, from the moment you walk through that office door in the morning, joined at the hip.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have co-hosted ITV’s This Morning for 14 years — they are the textbook definition of a “work wife” and “work husband”. Which is why it stings that their relationship has reportedly hit a rough patch.

Read more from Katie Edwards here:

Opinion: I broke up with my ‘Work Wife’ and it broke my heart

Schofield’s resignation comes days after he issued an “extraordinary statement” in bid to shore up his position

03:15 , Nick Ferris

Last saturday (13 May), Phillip Schofield issued an unprecedented statement in which he admitted “the last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”

At the time, he continued to insist that Holly Willoughby was his “rock”.

You can read more about the state of play just one week ago here:

Phillip Schofield issues statement amid rumours of fall out with Holly Willoughby

What we know about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ‘fall-out’

02:30 , Natalie Crockett

After a week of rumours of a rift between This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, it has been announced that Schofield will leave the show “with immediate effect”.

His last time presenting the ITV programme was on Thursday 18 May, bringing his presenting role of 21 years to a sudden close.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the This Morning co-hosts’ relationship is strained, and that they “barely speak” off camera.

Schofield acknowledged that “the last few weeks haven’t been easy”, but was initially keen to pour water on the claims, stating: “We’re the best of friends – as always, she is 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’ve been there for her.”

Read everything we know about the pair’s rift’:

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

What has Holly Willoughby said about Phillip Schofield leaving This Morning?

01:45 , Natalie Crockett

After more than a decade of presenting ITV’s flagship morning show together, Phillip Schofield’s onscreen partnership with Holly Willoughby has ended with the news that he is leaving the show.

Reacting to the news after weeks of speculation that all was not well between the pair, Ms Willoughby 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 of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.”

“The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”

 (ITV)
(ITV)

Lorraine Kelly addresses Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘feud’

01:00 , Natalie Crockett

Days before his depature, Lorraine Kelly spoke out over reports of a feud between This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby.

Kelly is the host of daily talk show Lorraine, which airs before This Morning on weekdays on ITV.

Speaking to The Sun earlier this week, Kelly alluded to recent reports of behind-the-scenes “tension” between Willoughby, 42, and co-presenter Schofield, 61.

“Do you know what? They were back today and it was business as usual and everyone is just getting on with it,” she said.

Kelly is also quoted as saying it is “unlikely” that either This Morning presenter will leave the show.

How wrong she was.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Holly and Phil were booed at the NTAs when This Morning won best daytime show last October

Sunday 21 May 2023 00:15 , Nick Ferris

Amid recent headlines around Phillip Schofield’s paedophile brother and intensifying onscreen tension, it’s easy to forget just how long the show’s troubles have been going on for.

Back in October, the duo were met with faint boos as they appeared on stage at the National Television Awards.

An emotional Schofield told the audience: “Please don’t ever feel like we get complacent and please don’t think we ever take this for granted. This means so much to us every year, especially this year.”

The ceremony came around a month after Willoughby and Schofield found themselves at the centre of much public controversy, after they were accused of “jumping the queue” to see Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin lying in state.

ITV bosses defended the presenters, stating that they had visited the site as accredited members of the media.

Willoughby and Schofield also denied the accusations on This Morning, saying that they would “never jump a queue”.

ITV chief has backed Phillip Schofield to keep working for the channel

Saturday 20 May 2023 23:30 , Nick Ferris

Amid reports that Phillip Schofield may be headed to Channel Five, what we have heard so far would suggest that ITV is very much intending to keep him on their channel.

“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”, said Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment in a statement.

“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.”

Schofield began working on This Morning in 2002, with Holly Willoughby joining him in 2009.

It is unclear what the new “peak time” programme is at this point, but it would seem ITV are loathe to drop a figure who is widely regarded as one of their top presenting talents.

Phillip Schofield in the 1980s. The presenter has been a fixture on entertainment shows for four decades. (Rex)
Phillip Schofield in the 1980s. The presenter has been a fixture on entertainment shows for four decades. (Rex)

Who is in the running to replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning?

Saturday 20 May 2023 22:45 , Natalie Crockett

Following his departure, here is a look at the runners and riders who could replace Phillip Schofield on the sofa.

ITV has already said Holly Willoughby will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”, but who are thr favourites?

- Dermot O’Leary

The 49-year-old broadcaster is a hot contender as he currently co-hosts This Morning alongside Alison Hammond on Fridays, taking over from Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford in 2021.

- Alison Hammond

The beloved presenter, 48, is also a strong possibility due to her experience on the show, with Ladbrokes making her the favourite with 2/1 odds.

However, her schedule may be full as it was announced earlier this year that she will be joining The Great British Bake Off as the show’s new co-host alongside comedian Noel Fielding from the next series.

- Rochelle Humes

The Saturdays singer, and former host of The Xtra Factor, is a regular guest host on This Morning.

She also filled in for Willoughby on the breakfast show when the TV star flew to Australia in 2018 to stand in for Ant McPartlin on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!. Humes, 34, who currently presents BBC One gameshow The Hit List with her husband, JLS star Marvin, has been given 6/1 odds.

- Marvin Humes

The singer, 38, has presented alongside his wife Rochelle on This Morning on a number of occasions since 2013 making him another strong option, with 8/1 odds.

- Rylan Clark

The X Factor singer-turned-presenter, 34, used to regularly host segments on This Morning and has also stepped in to present the show on occasion. It was also announced last month that he was quitting as as a presenter of Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off show It Takes Two. He has 3/1 odds.

- Josie Gibson

The 2010 Big Brother winner, 38, joined the ITV show in 2019 and has co-hosted on a number of occasions as a relief presenter. Gibson, who has fronted the programme alongside the likes of Vernon Kay, has been given 10/1 odds.

- Gino D’Acampo

The Italian TV chef, 46, could be a surprise addition to the This Morning coach, with Ladbrokes giving him odds of 25/1.

He rose to fame as a regular cook on the ITV morning show and has since presented cookery programmes including Let’s Do Lunch and Gino’s Italian Escape.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary ae among favourites to join Holly on the sofa (ITV)
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary ae among favourites to join Holly on the sofa (ITV)

OPINION: I’m not surprised by Phillip Schofield’s exit – it’s been a long time coming’

Saturday 20 May 2023 21:40 , Natalie Crockett

Daytime TV should not be this stimulating.

I don’t mean that it should be bad, I just mean that it should be a lull. Something you had on in the background when you were off school sick or, as an adult, something you had on over breakfast on a day off.

As someone with who follows politics and current affairs, it’s also useful for tracking when a story has “broken through”; in other words when something on my “For You” tab on Twitter is featuring in more mainstream discourse. There’s a reason why This Morning is listed as a magazine programme. It’s a TV show covering stories that you might read about in a dentist’s waiting room. The magazine is never the story, it’s the means through which we access the story. So the fact that Phillip Schofield had – as he acknowledged on his Instagram page – become the story himself, posed a problem.

Read more from Clare Morrison here:

Opinion: Phillip Schofield’s exit has been a long time coming

What has Phillip Schofield said about his brother’s child sex offences?

Saturday 20 May 2023 21:00 , Natalie Crockett

The paedophile brother of This Morning host Phillip Schofield has been jailed over child sex offences.

Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child, after a trial at Exeter Crown Court.

Schofield, a civilian police worker who was today jailed for 12 years, told the jury while giving evidence that he had watched pornography with the boy who he insisted was over the age of 16 at the time.

Phillip Schofield has spoken out several times since the guilty verdict in April, publicly denouncing his sibling’s actions and even insisting he “no longer” has a brother.

Emily Atkinson has more here:

What has Phillip Schofield said about his brother’s child sex offences?

Watch Phillip Schofield’s final sign-off from This Morning

Saturday 20 May 2023 20:30 , Natalie Crockett

Phillip Schofield has left his role on This Morning after 21 years as host, following reports of a “feud” with co-host Holly Willoughby.

Following Schofield’s announcement, we take a look back at his final sign-off from the show on Thursday 18 May.

You it here:

Watch Phillip Schofield’s final sign-off from This Morning

ICYMI: Phillip Schofield quits This Morning with immediate effect

Saturday 20 May 2023 20:00 , Isobel Lewis

On Saturday (20 May) afternoon, Phillip Schofield announced that he was stepping down from presenting This Morning amid his reported feud with co-host Holly Willoughby.

The presenter said that he was leaving with “immediate effect”, as “ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on”.

Isobel Lewis reports:

Phillip Schofield quits This Morning after ‘fall-out’ with Holly Willoughby

Eamonn Holmes attacks Schofield and Willoughby days before Schofield’s exit

Saturday 20 May 2023 19:40 , Isobel Lewis

Last week, former The Morning host Eamonn Holmes took aim at Schofield and Willoughby amid their reported fall-out.

“I think there should’ve been a special award for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for best actors,” he said.

“The public surely have sussed that there’s no chemistry, that there’s a broken fit between the two of them.”

Read more below...

Eamonn Holmes launches ruthless attack on Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

Saturday 20 May 2023 19:20 , Isobel Lewis

Kim Woodburn has weighed in once again on the alleged drama between Schofield and Willoughby, following news of Schofield’s This Morning exit.

Appearing on GB News on Saturday (20 May) afternoon, the former How Clean Is Your House? star praised Schofield for having “common sense” and leaving.

“His game is up,” she said, “I’m praying and hoping now that Holly Willoughby has sense to go, she’s not wanted.”

Phillip Schofield’s brother Timothy sentenced to 12 years in jail

Saturday 20 May 2023 19:00 , Isobel Lewis

On Friday (19 May), Phillip’s brother Timothy was jailed for 12 years, weeks after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences spanning a four-year period.

In April, Timothy was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.

Following the verdict, Phillip – who was absent from This Morning during the trial – disowned his sibling, saying: “I no longer have a brother.”

Matt Mathers reports:

Phillip Schofield’s paedophile brother jailed for child sex offences

Kim Woodburn blasts Holly Willoughby over Phillip Schofield ‘feud'

Saturday 20 May 2023 18:40 , Isobel Lewis

Another celebrity to weigh into the alleged Schofield-Willoughby feud was Kim Woodburn, who didn’t mince words as she called Willoughby “a two-faced b****”.

You can read her full comments below...

Kim Woodburn hits out at Holly Willoughby over Phillip Schofield ‘feud’

Who will replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning?

Saturday 20 May 2023 18:20 , Isobel Lewis

As Schofield announced his departure from This Morning, the question quickly emerged of who will replace him.

While Holly Willoughby will remain on the ITV daytime show, she will not be joined by a permanent co-host.

Instead, ITV has said that she will co-host with “members of the This Morning family”.

Jack Whitehall jokes about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ‘feud’ on The Chris and Rosie Ramsey Show

Saturday 20 May 2023 18:00 , Isobel Lewis

During Friday (19 May) night’s episode of BBC comedy show The Chris and Rosie Ramsey Show, comedian Jack Whitehall couldn’t resist making a dig at the rumoured ‘fall-out’ between Schofield and Willoughby.

Appearing on the show with his father Michael, Jack was praised by podcaster Rosie, who said that the father-son duo “come across like you’ve got a lovely relationship”.

In response, Jack joked: “Behind closed doors it’s like Holly and Phil, we don’t speak to each other,” with the comment elicited gasps from the presenters and audience.

You can watch the full clip below...

Jack Whitehall shocks Chris Ramsey with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby joke

Holly Willoughby shares statement as Phillip Schofield steps down from This Morning

Saturday 20 May 2023 17:40 , Isobel Lewis

While Schofield announced that he had quit This Morning with immediate effect, Willoughby shared her own statement.

“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,” she said.

“The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”

Watch: Phillip Schofield gives Holly Willoughby awkward goodbye kiss days before quitting show

Saturday 20 May 2023 17:20 , Isobel Lewis

After reports of tension between Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby emerged last week, This Morning viewers have been tuning into ITV closely for awkward moments between the pair.

One such exchange came during Wednesday’s show (17 May) – now known to be Schofield’s penultimate episode – as the pair kissed goodbye.

Willoughby left the episode 30 minutes early to meet King Charles III, leaving Phillip to “hold the fort”.

Watch below...

Ulrika Jonsson calls rumoured Schofield-Willoughby fall-out ‘a war of the egos'

Saturday 20 May 2023 17:00 , Isobel Lewis

Hours before Schofield announced that he was leaving This Morning, fellow presenter Ulrika Jonsson offered up her own thoughts on the matter.

“Daytime TV is a lively, narcissistic melting pot of ego, vanity, hierarchy and domination,” Jonsson wrote in her column in The Sun.

“Holly and Phil have forgotten about their audience and appointed themselves the stars of the show, which has made them bigger than the programme… Perhaps this really is the end of the road for Holly and Phil.”

Read more below...

Ulrika Jonsson says Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s ‘feud’ is ‘war of egos’

ITV boss calls Schofield ‘one of the best broadcasters of his generation'

Saturday 20 May 2023 16:40 , Isobel Lewis

Announcing Schofield’s departure, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment praised the presenter for his work on This Morning.

“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,” he said.

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.”

Lygo added: “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.

Will Phillip Schofield still present on ITV?

Saturday 20 May 2023 16:18 , Isobel Lewis

While Phillip Schofield is leaving This Morning, his future at ITV remains bright.

In their statement, ITV said that the presenter will continue to host peak time shows for ITV, including the British Soap Awards next month and a new prime time series.

It is not known whether Schofield will remain at the helm of Dancing on Ice, which he currently co-hosts with Holly Willoughby.

Schofield’s statement in full

Saturday 20 May 2023 16:02 , Matt Mathers

Here is the full statement released by Phillip Schofield when he announced he was quitting This Morning:

"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."

Holly and Phil’s funniest This Morning moments as Schofield quits show

Saturday 20 May 2023 15:58 , Matt Mathers

Following Schofield’s announcement, here we take a look back at some of Holly and Phil’s funniest moments together.

Oliver Browning reports:

Holly and Phil’s funniest This Morning moments as Schofield quits show

Watch: Phillip Schofield's final sign off from This Morning before quitting show

Saturday 20 May 2023 15:56 , Matt Mathers

What we know about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ‘fall-out’

Saturday 20 May 2023 15:55 , Matt Mathers

After a week of rumours of a rift between This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, it has been announced that Schofield will leave the show “with immediate effect”.

His last time presenting the ITV programme was on Thursday 18 May, bringing his presenting role of 21 years to a sudden close.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the This Morning co-hosts’ relationship is strained, and that they “barely speak” off camera.

Jacob Stolworth takes a closer look at the reported feud:

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

Phillip Schofield quits This Morning with immediate effect: ‘ITV have decided the situation can’t go on’

Saturday 20 May 2023 15:48 , Matt Mathers

Phillip Schofield will no longer present on This Morning, ITV has announced.

Earlier this month, reports emerged claiming Schofield and his co-host Holly Willoughby have a strained relationship behind the scenes on the ITV daytime show and “barely speak” when the cameras aren’t rolling.

In a rare statement, Schofield acknowledged that “the last few weeks haven’t been easy”, but said that he and Willoughby were still “the best of friends”.

Isobel Lewis reports:

Phillip Schofield quits This Morning after ‘fall-out’ with Holly Willoughby

Saturday 20 May 2023 15:46 , Matt Mathers

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s rolling showbiz coverage.

We’ll be covering Phillip Schofield’s shock decision to quit This Morning following a reported row with his co-host Holly Willoughby.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on this story and others from the world of showbiz.

OPINION: My sympathies lie with Holly and Phil – I broke up with my ‘Work Wife’ and it broke my heart

Saturday 20 May 2023 21:18 , Natalie Crockett

Everyone needs a “work spouse”.

You start out as friends but pretty soon you are sharing pointed looks, finishing each other’s sandwiches and are, from the moment you walk through that office door in the morning, joined at the hip.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have co-hosted ITV’s This Morning for 14 years — they are the textbook definition of a “work wife” and “work husband”. Which is why it stings that their relationship has reportedly hit a rough patch.

Read more from Katie Edwards here:

Opinion: I broke up with my ‘Work Wife’ and it broke my heart