Phillip Schofield has reportedly received a large payout as compensation after leaving This Morning after 21 years as co-host of the popular ITV daytime show. Phillip Schofield will step down from This Morning with “immediate effect” after more than 20 years on the ITV programme, the broadcaster has announced.
The 61-year-old TV presenter will not return to co-host the morning talk show with Holly Willoughby, with Thursday’s show being his last. ITV has said Willoughby will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”.
His departure comes amid reports of a rift between Schofield and Willoughby and after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Friday after being convicted of child sex offences. Schofield, who also shared the news in a post to his Instagram story, 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.
“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.”
Schofield will continue to present “peak time shows” for ITV including next month’s The British Soap Awards and a new prime time series, the broadcaster has said. He has presented This Morning with Willoughby since 2009 and they also co-host ITV’s Dancing On Ice together.
On Schofield’s departure, Willoughby said: “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.”
The pair have been open about their close friendship over the years, which has included sharing pictures on social media of them while on joint holidays with their families. After reports of the pair’s relationship coming under strain, last week, Schofield said in a statement to The Sun that Willoughby is his “rock”.
Schofield took pre-planned leave from the show around his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month. Former civilian police worker Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child following the court case.
In April, Willoughby also took time off from the ITV morning programme due to having the painful rash shingles, which is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Last year, the duo faced a backlash over claims they skipped the queue for the Queen’s lying in state in September.
A source told The Sun: "Phil has been given his This Morning wages for six months — but if that was meant to make him feel better, it’s just not working. Phil feels he has been shown zero respect and he is devastated by how this has played out.
"He thinks the way he was forced to step down was so unjust and he feels completely broken by how this situation has been handled. This Morning was Phil’s life and now he feels he has been knifed without proper consultation."
The source added that he spoke to his mum Pat, who he joined in Cornwall following the news of his departure, ex-wife Stephanie and daughters Molly and Ruby before agreeing to leave the show.
The Mirror has contacted Phil's representatives for comment. The payout is believed to be worth £300,000.
