A This Morning regular has spoke of the 'muted' atmosphere backstage on the first show since Phillip Schofield quit the programme.
Camilla Tominey regularly appears in the news segments of the ITV mid-morning show, and was there on Monday for the first episode since Phil quit his presenting role after over two decades. In a dramatic statement over the weekend, he confirmed he would be stepping down with immediate effect, whilst the show confirmed Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary would step in while Holly took a break from her hosting duties.
The journalist explained how Alison felt "nervous" about paying tribute to Phil, whilst she described the short tribute segment as 'brutal'.
She wrote in a column: "Monday morning’s atmosphere was understandably muted. While we have grown used to the hugely likeable Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary standing in for Phil and Holly, who is now on half-term holiday until June 5, the finality of Schofield’s departure was impossible to ignore with a farewell at the beginning of the programme.
"Alison was clearly quite nervous as the task fell upon her comparatively inexperienced shoulders to pay tribute to her former co-star."
Camilla, who is an associate editor at the Daily Telegraph, went on to explain that the tribute segment was 'brutal' – but insisted that was what viewers wanted.
"Viewers could perhaps be forgiven for wondering why there wasn’t an Ant and Dec-style montage of his best bits, but this is television, folks. Twenty one years on a show summarised in 35 seconds before moving on to the next feature. It’s brutal, but that’s the way it works because it’s the only way it can work: the viewers must always come first," she added.
In a statement released at the weekend, Phil said he was standing down.
"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 said.
"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."
