ITV have shot down Eamonn Holmes’ claim that Phillip Schofield’s decision to leave daytime TV show This Morning was not his own.
Last Saturday the TV presenter announced that he was “stepping down” from a role he had held for 21 years amid reports that he had fallen out with co-star Holly Willoughby.
In an official statement, Schofield said: “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.”
Holmes, a former This Morning presenter himself, said on GB News he believed that Schofield “was sacked”.
ITV were quick to address this, with a representative adamant this was not the case.
The spokesperson told The Standard: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”
Regardless of circumstance, Piers Morgan called the way in which Schofield left “savage”.
He also criticised a 35-second tribute paid to Schofield during Monday’s show, saying he was “entitled to a better send-off”.
Speaking to Times Radio on Monday, Morgan went on to say that there is “nothing more ruthless” than the way broadcasters are treated when “the plug gets pulled”.
Adding: “Showbiz is a shallow pool of shark-infested waters, one day you’re c**k of the walk, the next you’re a feather duster.”