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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tina Campbell

Piers Morgan slams ‘ruthless’ TV bosses for their treatment of Phillip Schofield after This Morning axe

Piers Morgan has weighed in after Phillip Schofield was unceremoniously axed from This Morning last week.

The infamously opinionated broadcaster, 58, declared daytime TV to be “infested by a pack of savages” after Schofield received a quick 35-second tribute to commemorate his 21-year career on the ITV show.

It came after reports that he had fallen out with his co-presenter of 14 years Holly Willoughby, with ITV allegedly given the ultimatum that if he didn’t go, then she, their golden girl, would.

Speaking to Times Radio on Monday, Piers went on to say that there is “nothing more ruthless” than the way broadcasters are treated when “the plug gets pulled”.

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.”

Phillip Schofield had reportedly fallen out with co-host Holly Willoughby (PA Archive)

Schofield announced his resignation on Saturday in a statement shared on social media.

It read: “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,” he continued.

“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.”

He concluded: “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”.

Willoughby noticeably received no mention.

The whole incident appeared to have resonated with Morgan as he left ITV’s Good Morning Britain in 2021 amid controversy over remarks he made about the Duchess of Sussex.

The GB News presenter added that he has “some sympathy” for Schofield and believed that he was “entitled to a better send-off”.

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