Phillip Schofield will return to ITV next month to host The British Soap Awards. It comes after the 61-year-old sensationally quit This Morning after 20 years following a rumoured feud with his co-star Holly Willoughby.
The presenter said in a statement on Saturday, May 20, that the programme had "become the story" and explained the broadcaster had "decided the current situation can't go on". Phil also confirmed he was leaving the show with "immediate effect" with his last episode airing on Thursday, May 18. You can read his statement in full here.
Holly said of her co-star stepping down: "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."
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Following Phil's exit, it was announced that Holly would be taking an early half-term break. She will return to This Morning on Monday, June 5, and will present the show with members of the This Morning family.
Meanwhile, the broadcaster has confirmed Phil will continue to present peak time shows for ITV including next month’s The British Soap Awards and a new prime time series. The award ceremony will be pre-recorded and it's now been confirmed it will air a day after Holly's This Morning return on Tuesday, June 6 at 8pm on ITV1.
On Monday, May 22 Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary stepped in to present This Morning and paid tribute to Phil. "We can't start today's show without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on the This Morning sofa, Phillip Schofield," Alison began.
Dermot then added: "As a show, everyone on and off the screen at ITV and This Morning wants to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years." Alison continued: "Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters that this country has ever had and we and all the team wish him all the best for the future."
In another presenting shake-up, those tuning into This Morning on Wednesday, May 24 were greeted by Alison and Craig Doyle. The Dublin-born presenter, who is the lead anchor for BT Sport’s rugby coverage, including Premiership and European Champions Cup games, replaced Dermot who was celebrating turning 50. You can read more on this here.
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