Holly Willoughby addresses Phillip Schofield exit upon This Morning return
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Holly Willoughby made her This Morning return on Monday (June 5) and addressed the controversy surrounding Phillip Schofield, her former co-host.
On May 20, Schofield stepped down from his presenting duties on the ITV daytime show, confirming later that week that he had an affair with a younger male colleague.
On announcing his resignation from ITV on May 26, Schofield added that "in an effort to protect my ex-colleague I haven't been truthful about the relationship".
Amid the controversy, Willoughby has recently been away from the show taking a half-term break with her family.
A message to you, from Holly. pic.twitter.com/TwiqxbSwSn
— This Morning (@thismorning) June 5, 2023
Related: This Morning's Alison Hammond in tears over Phillip Schofield interview
However, upon her return, she decided to address the viewers at home as she gave a statement about Schofield's departure.
"Right, deep breath. Firstly are you okay? I hope so," Willoughby began. "It feels very strange indeed sitting here without Phil and I imagine that you might have been feeling a lot like I have – shaken, troubled, let down, worried for the wellbeing of people on all sides of what's been going on, and full of questions.
"You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved.
"That is a lot to process and it's equally hard to see the toll that it's taken on their own mental health.
Related: British Soap Awards announces new host to replace Phillip Schofield
"I think what unites us all now is a desire to heal for the health and well-being of everyone," Willoughby continued.
"I hope that as we start this new chapter and get back to a place of warmth and magic that this show holds for all of us, we can find strength in each other.
"From my heart, can I just say thank you for all of your kind messages and thank you for being here this morning.
"Myself, Josie, Dermot, Alison, Craig and every single person that works on this show will continue to work hard every single day to bring you this show. That we love."
"Come here you, bring it in," Willoughby's co-host Josie Gibson said, offering her a hug. "All we can do now is be the family that we are."
Related: This Morning presenters defend show from "toxic" culture allegations amid Phillip Schofield row
ITV has confirmed that reports of a relationship between Schofield and his younger colleague were previously investigated, but said both parties had repeatedly denied it.
However, since then, ITV chief Dame Carolyn McCall has ordered an external investigation into the controversy surrounding Schofield and This Morning.
During a recent interview with the BBC, Schofield apologised for his actions and admitted the affair was "a grave error".
He also detailed the toll on his mental health since news of the affair became public knowledge, and praised his daughters for their support.
This Morning airs on ITV1.
You Might Also Like
