Holly Willoughby released a statement following the departure of Phillip Schofield This morning.
After more than 20 years on the ITV show, Phillip has taken a step back from This morninghaving presented its last episode on Thursday, May 18.
The broadcaster has co-hosted the award-winning show on several occasions for two decades and will continue to present peak-time shows for ITV, including next month British soap prices and a new primetime series, ITV said in a statement.
Statement from Holly Willoughby: After Phillip Schofield left this morning
Phillip also released a statement, which read, “I have always been proud to cover compelling stories on This Morning. But recently, This morning itself became history.
“Throughout my television career – including the last very difficult days – I have always tried my best to be honorable and kind. I understand that ITV has decided that the current situation cannot continue and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.
“So I agreed to withdraw from This morning with immediate effect, in hopes that the show can move forward into a bright future. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially the amazing viewers of This Morning – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.
Her co-host Holly said: “Hi everyone. It’s been over 13 great years presenting This morning with Phil and I take this opportunity to thank him for all his knowledge, his experience and his humour.
“The couch won’t be the same without it.”
Holly will stay 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 finest broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for two decades of absolutely tremendous couch television on This Morning.
“This morning is produced by one of the best and most diligent crews in television, producing over 12 hours of live television each week.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip beginning with British soap prices in June and a brand new peak time series to come.
“As I’ve said before, Holly is my rock. We’re best friends – as always, she’s 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 was there for her.
“The last few weeks have not been easy for either of them.”
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Former ITV employee asks CEO to step down from Phillip Schofield ‘cover-up’
A former ITV employee has called on the broadcaster’s CEO to step down over an apparent ‘cover-up’ of Phillip Schofield.
In a statement provided exclusively to the Daily Mail, Schofield said: “I am making this statement via the Daily Mail to whom I have already personally apologized for misleading, through my solicitor whom I have also misled mistake, a story they wanted to write me about a few days ago.
“The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry that I lied to them and many others about a relationship I had with someone who worked on This morning.
“I had an on-and-off consensual relationship with a younger male colleague at This morning. Contrary to speculation, while I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him get into television, it wasn’t until after he started working on the series that it has become more than just a friendship.
He continued: “I am painfully aware of having lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore to the public and especially to my family. I’m so, so sorry, as I am for being unfaithful to my wife.
The TV presenter added that he has also given up hosting the British Soap Awards next month, as well as quitting ITV with immediate effect.
Although Schofield is no longer employed by ITV, some are calling on the company’s CEO, Carolyn McCall, to quit as well.
Dan Wootton, who worked as a journalist on ITV Lorraine for eight years, alleges ITV executives were part of a “cover-up” for Schofield.
On Twitter, Wootton wrote: “Woke ITV CEO Carolyn McCall is happily getting rid of Piers Morgan, Jeremy Clarkson, Carol McGiffin and Jeremy Kyle but has allowed her senior executives to cover for Phillip Schofield for FOUR YEARS.
“They all need to quit now.”
The post was retweeted by former loose women presenter Carol McGiffin, who previously called Schofield “rude.”
In a segment on GB News earlier this month, McGiffin recalled being interviewed 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 sort of get it, but he was so uninterested it was a struggle.
“I was laughing, I was really laughing because I couldn’t believe he was being so rude.”
An ITV spokesperson told LADbible: ‘We are deeply disappointed by Phillip Schofield’s confession of deception tonight.
“The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip gave us assurances which he now admits to be false and we feel very disappointed.