Deirdre O Meara 
Phillip Schofield, the TV presenter of This Morning, has announced that he will be stepping down from the show with immediate effect. In a statement posted on Instagram, Schofield stated that he made the decision as the programme “has become the story” and “I want to do what I can to protect the show I love”. Rumours have been rife in recent weeks of a feud between Schofield and his fellow presenter on This Morning, Holly Willoughby.
Schofield has been a presenter on This Morning for more than 20 years and has covered a wide range of fascinating stories. However, the recent controversy has taken its toll, and Schofield has agreed to step down from the show in the hope that it can move forward to a bright future. In his statement, Schofield thanked everyone who has supported him, especially This Morning’s amazing viewers.
Holly Willoughby, Schofield’s co-presenter on This Morning, expressed her gratitude towards her colleague, stating that it has been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and that she wants to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. Willoughby also added that the sofa won’t feel the same without him.
Despite his departure from This Morning, Schofield will continue to present peak time shows for ITV, including next month’s The British Soap Awards and a new prime-time series. Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director, media and entertainment, expressed his gratitude towards Schofield for his two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa. Lygo also stated that This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce over 12 hours of live television each week. He further added that they look forward to continuing their relationship with Schofield starting with The British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak-time series to come.
This Morning has been a popular daytime show in the UK for many years, and the departure of Schofield has left many fans wondering what the future holds for the programme. However, ITV has assured viewers that Willoughby will remain on This Morning and will co-present with “members of the This Morning family”. The broadcaster has also stated that they are committed to ensuring that the show continues to be one of the best daytime programmes on television.
Schofield’s departure from This Morning marks the end of an era, but it also highlights the importance of putting the show first. As a presenter, Schofield has always been honourable and kind, and his decision to step down from This Morning is a testament to his dedication to the programme. While the future of This Morning may be uncertain, one thing is for sure – the show will continue to be a staple of daytime television in the UK, and viewers can look forward to many more years of fascinating stories, interesting guests, and lively discussions.
