Phillip Schofield to step down from This Morning with ‘immediate effect’
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hillip Schofield will step down from This Morning with “immediate effect” after greater than 20 years on the ITV programme, the broadcaster has introduced.
The 61-year-old TV presenter is not going to return to co-host the morning speak present with Holly Willoughby, with Thursday’s present being his final.
ITV has mentioned Willoughby will stay on the present and can “co-present with members of the This Morning family”.
His departure comes amid experiences 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 kid intercourse offences.
Schofield, who additionally shared the news in a publish to his Instagram story, mentioned: “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.
The sofa won’t feel the same without him
“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.”
Schofield will proceed to current “peak time shows” for ITV together with subsequent month’s The British Soap Awards and a brand new prime time sequence, the broadcaster has mentioned.
He has offered This Morning with Willoughby since 2009 and so they additionally co-host ITV’s Dancing On Ice collectively.
On Schofield’s departure, Willoughby mentioned: “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.”
The pair have been open about their shut friendship through the years, which has included sharing photos on social media of them whereas on joint holidays with their households.
After experiences of the pair’s relationship coming beneath pressure, final week, Schofield mentioned in a press release to The Sun that Willoughby is his “rock”.
Schofield took pre-planned depart from the present round his brother’s intercourse abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court final month.
Former civilian police employee Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a toddler between October 2016 and October 2019, together with two of sexual exercise with a toddler following the courtroom case.
In April, Willoughby additionally took day without work from the ITV morning programme as a consequence of having the painful rash shingles, which is brought on by the identical virus as chickenpox.
Last 12 months, the duo confronted a backlash over claims they skipped the queue for the Queen’s mendacity in state in September.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director of media and leisure, mentioned: “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.”