Former this morning presenter Eamonn Holmes has said that ‘Holly knows the truth’ about why Phillip Schofield has quit this morning. The presenter announced he was leaving the ITV show over the weekend, with reports today suggesting he will get a £300,000 payout.
There had been rumours Phil and co-host Holly Willoughby had not been on the best of terms, and Eamonn on his GB News show with Isabel Webster said: “Holly knows the truth, the story is with her.”
Before speaking to their colleague who was reporting from ITV studios, Eamonn raged: “Let’s just stop this. He was sacked, right? All this nonsense about...’I have decided to step down’. I am sure you did, here’s your P45 now step down.
“And she says, ‘The couch won’t feel the same without him being there’ so what is she moaning about the couch not feeling the same for? I mean, they deserve each other I suppose.”
Eamonn added: “There are so many unanswered questions and all this is nonsense,” the former This Morning presenter fumed. So she gets two weeks off now, Holly gets two weeks off to save any controversy and ITV will say nothing about this.
“And then one ITV making a statement saying, ‘We will continue to support Phillip.’”
On Saturday, Schofield announced he was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk show with “immediate effect” after more than 20 years on the programme. Schofield, who also shared the news in a post to his Instagram story, said in a statement: “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.”
On Schofield’s departure, 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.”
