This Morning viewers found themselves cracking the same remark as they watched the show's tribute to Tina Turner. The music icon, who had hits including Proud Mary and The Best, passed away after a long illness, her publicist Bernard Doherty confirmed on Wednesday (May 24).
Tina, widely referred to as the Queen of Rock and Roll, had a career spanning over 60 years which saw her win eight competitive Grammy Awards including record of the year for What's Love Got To Do With It, three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as having a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St Louis Walk of Fame.
In a statement, a representative for the legendary singer said: "Tina Turner, the 'Queen of Rock'n Roll' has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model."
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Tributes have since been pouring in from far and wide to pay tribute to the star, born Anna Mae Bullock, and the news of her death has been dominating all the major programmes airing on Thursday (May 25) including This Morning.
Hosts Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle paid tribute to Tina at various points throughout the programme before they wrapped up their segments slightly earlier so that they could play out a previous performance, aired live on the show a few years ago, from the cast of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical.
But viewers couldn't help but notice that the death of the worldwide wide artist, who is behind global hits including What's Love Got To Do With It, Private Dancer and The Best, got 'more of a send off' than Phillip Schofield who it was announced was 'stepping back' from the programme last weekend.
@Mike_Holden_94 tweeted: "Tina Turner got a better send-off on #ThisMorning than Phillip Schofield did." @grcxlryn said: "#ThisMorning giving a bigger send off for Tina Turner than Philip Scofield is really something." @matthewhayesx posted: "Tina Turner getting a longer tribute on #ThisMorning than a man who spent 20 years on the show." @GerryNeillJnr added: "Tina Turner got a longer farewell than Phillip Schofield by @thismorning staff. Surely he can't of been that bad. #ThisMorning."
Others, however, were divided over the choice of tribute. @QuintonOHara said: "#ThisMorning why didn’t you play clips of the real Tina Turner singing." @Mysteron_Voice shared: "If it's supposed to be a tribute to Tina Turner, why not just put a clip of the actual Tina Turner on... #ThisMorning." But @GregariousProds wrote: "Tina Turner tribute was awesome! #thismorning."
The shock news of Phillip quitting came after rumours were rife that he and co-host Holly Willoughby were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes amid a 'rift' between the pair. The 61-year-old's exit was with 'immediate effect', meaning he appeared for the last time on the programme last Thursday (May 18).
Following the news last weekend, Holly, who has been confirmed to be continuing as host, didn't appear back on the programme following her decision to take an extra week off work ahead of her pre-planned half-term break next week. She will therefore return to the helm of the show on June 5 meaning other presenters are having to step in.
Alison and her usual Friday co-host Dermot O'Leary were drafted in to host and opening the first show of the week on Monday (May 24) and Alison, 48, and Dermot, 49, appeared sombre as they addressed the news and paid tribute to their now-former colleague.
"We can’t start today’s show without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on the This Morning sofa. Phillip Schofield," Alison said.
Dermot continued: "So as a show, everyone on and off screen at ITV and This Morning say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years." Alison added: "Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had, and we and all the team wish him all the best for the future."
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