The exact date Phillip Schofield will return to TV screens has been confirmed. ITV announced on Saturday (May 20) that after 20 years fronting the daytime show, the veteran presenter had made the decision to 'step back' from This Morning.
The shock news came after rumours were rife that he and co-host Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes amid a 'rift' between the pair. Phillip's exit was with 'immediate effect', meaning he appeared for the last time on the programme last Thursday (May 18).
"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," Phillip said in a statement.
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The 61-year-old added: "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."
Holly, who has hosted This Morning with Phillip since 2009 and also host Dancing on Ice together said in response: "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."
But at the same time his exit from This Morning was announced, Phillip's return to TV was revealed as he added at the end of his statement: "And I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month."
The annual awards are set to take place at The Lowry in Salford on June 3 and are set to be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX at a later date. The glitzy night sees the stars of Coronation Strete, Emmerdale, This Morning and Doctors out in force as they face being rewarded for their work on screen over the last year.
And now ITV has confirmed a two-hour slot for the pre-recorded ceremony, which is due to air Tuesday, June 6 at 8pm.
Fans can vote for their favourites in the Best Leading Performer and Best British Soap categories. And for the first time since 2014, the Best Villain category has been returned to a public vote after being judged by a panel since 2015 while the Best Young Performer category has also switched back to a public vote.
Meanwhile, Amanda Holden has backed Dermot O’Leary to replace Phillip on This Morning after reigning her 'feud' with her former ITV college.
Dermot, who celebrated his 50th birthday on Wednesday (May 24), and his usual Friday co-host Alison Hammond stepped in to present This Morning on Monday and Tuesday, while Craig Doyle took the helm with Alison on Wednesday.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda, who has previously spoken of an apparent rift between her and Phillip, backed the former X Factor host for a permanent place on the ITV sofa. Appearing on her Heart Breakfast show, co-host Jamie Theakston asked if she thinks Dermot would be “good to replace” Phillip. The 52-year-old said: "Yes. I think him and Alison do a great job, don’t they?"
It comes after Amanda took to Instagram when news of Phillip's This Morning exit broke, simply posting the flexed bicep emoji against a black backdrop to her main grid. The comments quickly flooded with messages as she left the post with no caption.
It comes years after Amanda, 52, was very vocal about their clash. She is said to have fallen out with Schofe after he allegedly blocked her from being Holly’s replacement on the sofa while she took on I’m A Celebrity hosting duties with Declan Donnelly back in 2018.
Speaking on her Heart FM breakfast show back in 2019, Amanda confessed it "wasn't nice to wake up to those headlines this weekend," about her apparent 'feud'. Asked by radio co-host Jamie Theakston if she had offered an olive branch she said: "Yes, I text him recently but didn't get a text back."
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