Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary to fill in as interim This Morning hosts
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lison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will fill in as hosts on This Morning on Monday following Phillip Schofield’s departure from the present, ITV has confirmed.
On Saturday, Schofield introduced he was stepping down from presenting the ITV speak present with “immediate effect” after greater than 20 years on the programme.
Holly Willoughby, who Schofield has hosted alongside since 2009, will stay on the present however she is taking early half-term vacation depart subsequent week and can return on June 5, the broadcaster has stated.
Hammond and O’Leary, who co-host the present on Fridays, can be on the couch of their absence on Monday morning ,however ITV has not but confirmed who will current for the remainder of the week.
The pair are each scorching contenders to take over Schofield’s position given their expertise on the present.
Hammond, 48, is at the moment bookmaker Ladbrokes favorite – giving her 2/1 odds.
The beloved presenter first rose to fame as a Big Brother contestant in 2002 earlier than becoming a member of This Morning in the identical 12 months.
During her time on the ITV present over the past twenty years, she has turn out to be identified for her skill to scale back even the largest A-listers into matches of laughter.
O’Leary, 49, who has appeared on the present as a presenter all through the years, at the moment has been given 4/1 odds by Ladbrokes.
The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes and her husband, JLS star Marvin Humes, are among the many different presenters probably within the operating in addition to Rylan Clark, Josie Gibson and Gino D’Acampo.
ITV has stated Willoughby will keep on This Morning and can “co-present with members of the This Morning family” within the interim.
Last Thursday marked Schofield’s final day on the present because the broadcaster stated he is not going to be returning for a ultimate episode.
His departure comes after he has confronted months of controversy together with reviews of a rift along with his long-time co-host Willoughby, his brother’s intercourse abuse trial and furore over his go to to the late Queen’s mendacity in state.
Schofield, who additionally shared the news in a submit to his Instagram story, stated in an announcement: “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.”
He 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 stated.
On Schofield’s departure, Willoughby stated: “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.
However, after reviews of the pair’s relationship coming beneath pressure, Schofield tried to placed on a united entrance describing Willoughby as his “rock” in an announcement to The Sun.
The presenter additionally took pre-planned depart from the present round his brother’s intercourse abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court final month.
On Friday, 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.
Willoughby additionally took day without work from the ITV morning programme in April attributable to having the painful rash shingles, which is attributable to the identical virus as chickenpox.
Last 12 months, the duo confronted a backlash over claims they skipped the queue for the late Queen’s mendacity in state in September.