Phillip Schofield to leave This Morning ‘with immediate effect’

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Phillip Schofield is stepping down as co-host of This Morning “with immediate effect”, he has announced amid reports of a developing feud with Holly Willoughby.

Rumours of growing tension between the pair have swirled in recent weeks, with various media stories on the increasingly strained relationship between the hosts.

In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, Schofield, 61, referenced the sustained speculation, lamenting the fact “This Morning has become the story”. “I understand ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on,” he added. Last Thursday’s episode will now be his last.

Schofield hosted the daytime magazine show for more than 20 years, sharing a sofa with Willoughby for 13 of those. Willoughby, 42, will remain as a presenter, ITV announced, alongside “members of the This Morning family”. In response to Schofield’s resignation, Willoughby said “the sofa won’t feel the same without him”.

Schofield will continue working for the broadcaster, ITV’s statement added, including hosting the British Soap Awards in June and a “brand new peak time series to come”.

This Morning has won five National Television Awards for best daytime show in a row, thanks in large part to the perceived easy chemistry and laid-back presenting style of Schofield and Willoughby. The pair had even been granted the rarest of colloquial honours for British light entertainment personalities, being known simply by their first names – “Holly and Phil”.

But the pair fell foul of public opinion last year when they were deemed by many to have jumped the queue ahead of the public, and David Beckham, to pay their respects to the late queen lying in state in Westminster Hall.

The presenters have endured a tumultuous few weeks in their personal lives, leading both to take separate breaks from the programme. Schofield’s brother was jailed for 12 years on Friday after being convicted of sexually abusing a vulnerable teenage boy.

Timothy Schofield, 54, who was a civilian police worker with the Avon and Somerset force at the time of the abuse, was found guilty of 11 sexual offences involving a child. Phillip Schofield had previously disowned him during the trial, and had taken pre-planned leave from presenting duties.

Willoughby has also been absent this year, after being forced to take time to recuperate from illness.

Schofield has previously tried to head off rumours of a split, releasing a statement calling Willoughby “my rock”. But the chorus of conjecture about their fizzling relationship grew too loud, leading to Schofield’s statement on Saturday.

It read: “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.”

Willoughby said: “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.”

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director, media and entertainment, called Schofield “hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation” as he thanked him for his two decades of service 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.”

It comes weeks after Schofield tried to quash the rumours in a lengthy statement to The Sun.

“As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her,” he said.

He added: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. My family went through a real ordeal, and Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me – as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers. Whatever happens, we still have each other to count on.”

But the statement arguably did more to highlight the rumoured problems between the pair.