Phillip Schofield has 'broken his silence' following his This Morning exit as he responded to a post from a now-former co-star. ITV announced on Saturday (May 20) that Phillip had sensationally quit This Morning after 20 years.
The presenter said in a statement that the programme had 'become the story' and that he wanted to "do what I can to protect the show that I love" after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes amid a 'rift' between the pair.
Phillip, 61, also said: "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.
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"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.”
ITV was quick to confirm that Holly, 42, will still host the show with other "members of the This Morning family." But they also confirmed to the Manchester Evening News that viewers will have to wait to see her back on screen. As viewers discovered on Monday (May 22), the mum-of-three wasn't on the show as planned.
She has been replaced by Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary who opened the first show of the week with a tribute to their former colleague before adding that Holly will return to the sofa on Monday, June 5.
In the meantime, ahead of her appearance on the programme, Cldasgh McKenna took to Instagram to pay her own tribute to Phillip. Sharing a smiling picture of the pair in the ITV studio, the chef said: "21 years of brightening up our mornings…. And I’ve been so lucky to be part of 3 of them. I’ll miss the morning hug, the twinkle in your eye that makes me giggle and your empathy."
She then added: "You will be missed @schofe." And the veteran presenter was among those to 'like' the post and fans praised Cloagh for supporting her friend.
@coughlancolette said: "Clodagh well done. You are the only person that I have seen to come out and acknowledge Phil’s 21 years and that you will miss him.The vitriol has been vile. Nothing like the [Irish]." @caranmonaghan wrote: "I respect your kindness for Phil." @lizkavanagh1 replied: "Fair play to you clodagh."
@amanda.simcox shared: "Well done Clodagh!" @tropic_skincare_with_louise posted: "Good to see a colleague giving him support. Feel he should have been given a proper send-off. Doesn’t seem right just to have left with no best wishes whatever has went on behind the scenes." @lindaellis7871 added: "That's lovely of you clodagh saying nice things, so many people saying such nasty things.."
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