ITV announce Phillip Schofield to leave This Morning

After more than 20 years on the This Morning sofa, Phillip Schofield has stepped back from ITV’s flagship morning show, before apparently being pushed, after a week of major falling ratings and controversies spread across the tabloids.

The presenter, who also hosts Dancing on Ice, The Cube and The British Soap Awards for ITV has already hosted his final edition of the long-running magazine show with the broadcaster confirming Scohfield presented his last episode on Thursday 18 May.

Holly Willoughby will remain on This Morning and will co-present with other members of the programme.

Phillip Schofield:

“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.”

Over the past few weeks reports that Holly and Phillip had ‘fallen out’ have covered newspaper inches and ratings for the programme this past week tumbled. On Monday, May 8th 894,000 viewers tuned in, this week Monday saw it drop to 726,720 and by mid-week, it was barely scraping 500,000. ITV had failed to take any action on their ‘difficult asset’ prior to the rating slump, hoping as with past controversies it would just come to pass. However, with the potential for a loss of revenue increasing, they have finally  stepped into action.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director, Media and Entertainment and a friend of Schofield:

“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.”

Many, allegedly, in the industry don’t share Lygo’s view with Dan Wootton leading the charge against Phillip, saying on GB News this week “Phillip Schofield is probably the most loathsome man in TV”.

And an ‘insider’ on the Morning programme telling Metro paper, “This is a PR disaster totally of his own making. The whole thing beggars belief.”

“I think the mask is slipping with Scofield,” said journalist Carole Malone, adding, “The reason he irritates me is his ego, he thinks he’s the big political interrogator… he got famous on the back of a glove puppet.” TV cleaning personality Kim Woodburn, a victim of previous toxic goings on at ITV Daytime also came into the debate noting, “He’s a cruel, brutal little man and he should not be on television.” Former This Morning co-host Eamonn Holmes observed, “I think there should have been a special award for Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for best actors [at the BAFTAs]”.

Holly Willoughby will return to the show on Monday 5th June having taken an early half-term holiday starting Monday 22nd May.

TV Critic Vivian Summers:

“Phillip used to appear such a nice guy, where did it go wrong? When did the ego seemingly out-grow the talent? I think probably when Fern quit the show in 2009. I mean we all loved Phil on Going Live! didn’t we? The programme however probably could do with a new boss, after all they have allowed this to happen time and time again.”