Phillip Schofield will step down from This Morning with “instant impact” 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 discuss present with Holly Willoughby, with Thursday’s present being his final.
ITV has stated Willoughby will stay on the present and can “co-present with members of the This Morning household.”
His departure comes amid reviews 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 information in a put up to his Instagram story, stated: “I’ve all the time been proud to cowl fascinating tales on This Morning. However lately, This Morning itself has develop into the story.
“All through my profession in TV—together with the very tough previous few days—I’ve all the time performed my greatest to be honourable and type.
“I perceive that ITV has determined the present scenario can’t go on, and I wish to do what I can to guard the present that I like.
“So I’ve agreed to step down from This Morning with instant impact, within the hope that the present can transfer ahead to a brilliant future.
“I’d prefer to thank everybody who has supported me—particularly This Morning’s superb viewers—and I’ll see you all for the Cleaning soap Awards subsequent month.”
Schofield will proceed to current “peak time reveals” for ITV together with subsequent month’s The British Cleaning soap Awards and a brand new prime time collection, the broadcaster has stated.
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 stated: “It’s been over 13 nice years presenting This Morning with Phil and I wish to take this chance to thank him for all of his data, his expertise, and his humour. The couch received’t really feel the identical with out him.”
The pair have been open about their shut friendship through the years, which has included sharing footage on social media of them whereas on joint holidays with their households.
After reviews of the pair’s relationship coming underneath pressure, final week, Schofield stated in an announcement to The Solar that Willoughby is his “rock.”
Schofield took pre-planned go away from the present round his brother’s intercourse abuse trial at Exeter Crown Courtroom final month.
Former civilian police employee Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a baby between October 2016 and October 2019, together with two of sexual exercise with a baby following the courtroom case.
In April, Willoughby additionally took day without work from the ITV morning programme attributable to having the painful rash shingles, which is brought on by the identical virus as chickenpox.
Final 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, stated: “Phillip is arms down among the best broadcasters of his era and we thank him for his twenty years’ value of completely terrific tv on the This Morning couch.
“This Morning is made by among the best and most diligent groups in tv, who produce over 12 hours of dwell tv every week.
“We sit up for persevering with our relationship with Phillip beginning with The British Cleaning soap Awards in June and a model new peak time collection to return.”
Originally posted 2023-05-20 17:00:44.