Phillip Schofield – live: Piers Morgan responds to rumour he could join Holly Willoughby on This Morning

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary delivered a bizarre and somewhat muted tribute to ex-This Morning host Phillip Schofield as they stepped in as temporary replacements on the ITV show.

The duo, who typically present This Morning together on Fridays, appeared on the breakfast show with grim expressions, before opening with a moment dedicated to Schofield.

“We all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had,” Hammond said, while a montage of pictures showing Schofield alone, rather than with his longtime co-host Holly Willoughby, played on screen.

The 61-year-old presenter’s departure comes amid reports of a rift between him and Willoughby, and after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Friday, after being convicted of child sex offences.

Willoughby will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”, ITV said. However, Metro.co.uk reports that the broadcaster said she will take a break during the half-term, returning on Monday 5 June.

Key Points

• Holly Willoughby issues statement after Phillip Schofield quits This Morning

• This Morning ‘became the story’: Schofield statement in full

• Amanda Holden appears to take a swipe at Schofield after quitting announcement

• Schofield pictured in Cornwall after leaving London following exit

• Piers Morgan shuts down rumours of replacing Schofield

This Morning pays tribute to Phillip Schofield

10:43 , Jacob Stolworthy

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary led a tribute to former This Morning host Phillip Schofield on Monday’s episode (22 May).

Acknowledging his decision to quit the show, Hammond said: “We can’t start without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on the This Morning sofa, Phillip Schofield.

“The show, everyone on and off-screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years.

“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.”

O’Leary then clarified that Willoughby, who most frequently hosted with Schofield, was currently on a break ahead of the school half-term and would return to the show on Monday 5 June.

More below.

This Morning’s Holly Willoughby conspicuously absent from Phillip Schofield tribute

Piers Morgan responds to rumours he will take over as Holly Willoughby’s co-host

17:55 , Annabel Nugent

Among the celebrities rumoured to be taking over for Phillip Schofield is former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan.

Morgan, however, was quick to shut down the rumours on Instagram, writing: “Thanks to everyone suggesting I might replace Phillip Schofield as Holly Willoughby’s Scotland-host at This Morning in a Lazarus-like comeback to ITV.

“Unfortunately, there’s just one problem: I still don’t believe a single word Meghan Markle says!”

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

17:30 , Inga Parkel

After a week of rumours of a rift between This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, it has been announced that Schofield will leave the show “with immediate effect”.

His last time presenting the ITV programme was on Thursday 18 May, bringing his presenting role of 21 years to a sudden close.

Here’s what we know about the rumoured fallout between Schofield and Willoughby:

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

A timeline of the duo’s ups and downs as Schofield announces he is leaving ‘This Morning’ with ‘immediate effect’

Watch Phillip Schofield’s final sign-off from This Morning

17:00 , Inga Parkel

ITV to reveal Phillip Schofield’s Dancing on Ice future ‘in due course’

16:15 , Inga Parkel

Phillip Schofield has quit This Morning, but he hasn’t cut ties with ITV.

Schofield’s decision to step away from This Morning came after a week of claims that he had been embroiled in a behind-the-scenes fallout with his co-host Holly Willoughby.

Schofield also co-hosts Dancing on Ice with Willoughby. However, a new series set to air in January 2024 is not currently in production, with ITV telling The Independent it would be making “further announcements” about the series, as well as Schofield’s involvement, “in due course”.

Read more:

ITV to reveal Phillip Schofield’s Dancing on Ice future ‘in due course’

It remains to be seen whether he will unite with Holly Willoughby on competition series

Who will replace Phil on This Morning?

16:00 , Nicole Vassell

Mere days after Phillip Schofield’s exit from This Morning, speculation of who can replace him has been rife.

Here is Ellie Harrison’s look at who might be in the running to fill his shoes:

Who could replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning?

WATCH: Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary pay tribute to Philip Schofield as ‘one of the best'

15:30 , Nicole Vassell

Why wasn’t Holly Willoughby on This Morning today?

15:10 , Nicole Vassell

As the first episode of This Morning since Phillip Schofield’s immediate departure, Monday’s instalment had viewers keenly watching to see how it would be handled.

Notably, lead co-host Holly Willoughby was not present to comment on Schofield’s exit in person.

Instead, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary led the show, making a rare appearance outside of their usual Friday hosting gig.

They explained that Willoughby will return to screens on Monday 5 June and was currently taking a break ahead of the school half-term schedule.

What was Phillip Schofield’s salary on This Morning?

14:46 , Nicole Vassell

Since the news of Phillip Schofield’s This Morning departure broke, some have wondered how much the end of this gig will affect the presenter’s bank balance.

It was reported that Holly Willoughby only started receiving equal pay with Schofield in 2017, moving from an annual salary of approximately £600,000 to £700,000.

Jacob Stolworthy reports:

How much Phillip Schofield got paid for This Morning ahead of quitting series

WATCH: Phillip Schofield’s final This Morning sign-off

14:10 , Nicole Vassell

Since Phillip Schofield quit This Morning “with immediate effect”, his final episode was on Thursday 18 May.

Here’s how he signed off the show:

VOICES: I’m not surprised by Phillip Schofield’s exit – it’s been a long time coming

13:40 , Nicole Vassell

Though news of Phillip Schofield’s resignation rocked the headlines when it broke on Saturday (20 May), not everyone was surprised by the host’s departure.

Detailing a series of career rough spots, Clare Morrison explains: “Unlike many celebrity falls from grace, Schofield’s has been much slower, and much less certain. It almost feels overzealous to even call it a fall from grace; his is more of a tarnished reputation that, despite the best polish, has some spotting and staining that may be irreparable.”

Here’s the piece in full:

Opinion: Phillip Schofield’s exit has been a long time coming

What did Ulrika Jonsson say about the Phil and Holly fallout?

13:10 , Nicole Vassell

Several TV presenters have shared their opinions on the deterioration of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s relationship in recent days.

Ulrika Jonsson chimed in on the situation shortly before Schofield’s exit from This Morning was announced, explaining their alleged feud as a “war of the egos”.

Writing in The Sun, the former Gladiators host Jonsson explained: “On-screen duos are about balance, harmony and respect and it can be very hard to get right... It’s hard to think of another work environment where your professional relationship with someone is so reliant on you getting on, because the audience always knows when you are faking it.”

Isobel Lewis reports:

Ulrika Jonsson says Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s ‘feud’ is ‘war of egos’

VOICES: Is there anything more British than Holly and Phil’s frosty fallout?

12:41 , Nicole Vassell

According to Rob Temple, the presumed sour turn of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s relationship is the epitome of how British people understate their true feelings.

In a new piece for Independent Voices, he ponders all of the possible meanings behind Willoughby’s goodbye statement.

“‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting with Phil’ could mean ‘it’s been a hell of a lot of years’,” he writes. “She calls Phillip Schofield simply ‘Phil’, which perhaps conveys the casual detachment of a miffed neighbour relieved to finally be free of having to listen to next door’s awful music at 2am, or put up with his strange cooking smells. It could also just mean that she simply calls him Phil.”

You can read the full opinion piece below:

Opinion: Is there anything more British than Holly and Phil’s frosty fallout?

Family Fortunes airs ‘unfortunate’ This Morning question

12:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Hours after it was announced that Phillip Schofield had quit This Morning, game show Family Fortunes aired an “unfortunate” question about the show.

More below.

Family Fortunes viewers spot ‘unfortunate’ This Morning question in latest episode

What happened to Holly and Phil? Here’s everything we know about their rumoured feud

10:30 , Peony Hirwani

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

Eamonn Holmes makes startling Phillip Schofield claim

10:09 , Jacob Stolworthy

Eamonn Holmes has waded in on Phillip Schofield’s decision to quit This Morning.

The former host of the daytime series doesn’t think Schofield’s decision was his own and, on his GB News breakfast show, said he believes the host “was sacked”.

“Oh please, just stop this. He was sacked. All this nonsense of ‘I’ve decided to step down’. I’m sure you did – ‘here’s your P45 now step down’,” Holmes said.

ITV has denied Holmes’s claim.

More below.

Eamonn Holmes makes startling claim about Phillip Schofield’s This Morning statement

What Phillip Schofield said about his relationship with Holly Willoughby

10:00 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Phillip Schofield issued a statement addressing rumours that he and his longtime This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby have fallen out.

Read more:

Phillip Schofield issues statement amid rumours of fall out with Holly Willoughby

Watch: Former This Morning host Eamonn Holmes says Phil Schofield ‘was sacked’

09:30 , Roisin O'Connor

Holly Willoughby ‘gave ultimatum’ before Phillip Schofield quit This Morning

09:00 , Peony Hirwani

Holly Willoughby gave ITV an ultimatum before the departure of her long-term presenting partner Phillip Schofield, a new report claims.

Louis Chilton reports.

Holly Willoughby ‘gave ultimatum’ before Phillip Schofield’s This Morning exit

Jack Whitehall shocks Chris Ramsey with joke about Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s ‘fall-out’

08:30 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Jack Whitehall shocked Chris Ramsey with a surprise joke about Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s rumoured feud.

Read more:

Jack Whitehall shocks Chris Ramsey with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby joke

Watch Phillip Schofield’s final sign-off from This Morning

07:45 , Peony Hirwani

Ulrika Jonsson weighs in on Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s ‘feud’: ‘A war of the egos’

07:00 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Ulrika Jonsson has shared her thoughts on the alleged fall-out between This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

Read more:

Ulrika Jonsson says Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s ‘feud’ is ‘war of egos’

Eamonn Holmes launches ruthless tirade against Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

05:30 , Peony Hirwani

ICYMI: Eamonn Holmes slammed his former This Morning colleagues Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby in a blistering tirade on GB News on Monday (15 May).

Read more:

Eamonn Holmes launches ruthless attack on Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby

Holly Willoughby issues statement thanking outgoing co-star

05:00 , Peony Hirwani

Holly Willoughby has thanked her outgoing co-star for “13 great years presenting” after he announced he was leaving This Morning show with immediate effect following a reported feud between the pair.

In a short statement after Mr Schofield announced his departure, Ms Willoughby thanked her former colleague for “all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.”

She added: “The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”

What has Phillip Schofield said about his brother’s child sex offences?

04:45 , Peony Hirwani

The paedophile brother of This Morning host Phillip Schofield has been jailed over child sex offences.

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, after a trial at Exeter Crown Court.

Phillip has spoken out several times since the guilty verdict in April, publicly denouncing his sibling’s actions and even insisting he “no longer” has a brother.

Read more:

What has Phillip Schofield said about his brother’s child sex offences?

03:30 , Louis Chilton

The other Schofield story that’s been going on around the time of the This Morning drama...

Timothy Schofield, the presenter’s brother, has been jailed for child sex offenses. Schofield gave testimony at his brother’s trial, and issued a statement on social media “disowning” him.

Phillip Schofield’s paedophile brother jailed for child sex offences

01:30 , Louis Chilton

A bit of background...

Here’s a full timeline of Schofield and Willoughby’s This Morning “fall-out”

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

Sunday 21 May 2023 23:30 , Louis Chilton

Ulrika weighing in earlier this week...

Ulrika Jonsson says Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s ‘feud’ is ‘war of egos’

Sunday 21 May 2023 21:30 , Louis Chilton

When you’ve got other celebrities poking fun at you on live TV, it’s probably a sign that the end might be coming...

Jack Whitehall shocks Chris Ramsey with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby joke

Sunday 21 May 2023 19:30 , Louis Chilton

Lots of people on social media bringing up the political shadings of Willoughby and Schofield’s This Morning tenure.

This photo of the pair with ex-PM Boris Johnson is getting shared a lot...

Sunday 21 May 2023 17:45 , Louis Chilton

In case you missed it: a fuller write-up of the story of Schofield’s departure.

Phillip Schofield quits This Morning after ‘fall-out’ with Holly Willoughby

Sunday 21 May 2023 17:15 , Louis Chilton

Seems like some people are on board with this suggestion...

Sunday 21 May 2023 16:53 , Louis Chilton

Just in: ITV has confirmed its hosts for tomorrow’s episode of This Morning.

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, who usually host the Friday edition of the series, will be stepping in for the day.

It is currently unclear who will be presenting for the rest of the week.

Read more:

ITV announces This Morning hosts on Monday after Phillip Schofield departure

Sunday 21 May 2023 16:45 , Louis Chilton

It was the kiss of death... for Phil’s This Morning tenure, perhaps.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby share awkward moment on This Morning

Sunday 21 May 2023 16:15 , Louis Chilton

Re-sharing this feature from Clare Morrison: “I’m not surprised by Phillip Schofield’s exit – it’s been a long time coming”

Opinion: Phillip Schofield’s exit has been a long time coming

Sunday 21 May 2023 15:45 , Louis Chilton

Schofield appeared to unintentionally hint at the “queuegate” scandal earlier this week, when he made a remark about not receiving an invite to the coronation.

Phillip Schofield asks ‘where’s our invite’ to Buckingham Palace on This Morning

Sunday 21 May 2023 15:15 , Louis Chilton

For some viewers, the writing had been on the wall for Schofield and Willoughby as a presenting duo ever since the “queuegate” scandal last year.

In case you need a refresher:

Sunday 21 May 2023 14:45 , Louis Chilton

ICYMI: Here’s an explainer on what we know about the “falling out” that lead to Schofield’s departure...

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

Sunday 21 May 2023 14:15 , Louis Chilton

Schofield has been photographed in Cornwall, having (understandably) put some physical distance between himself and London amid the This Morning fallout.

Sunday 21 May 2023 13:45 , Louis Chilton

Phil’s final sign-off from This Morning, in case anyone was curious...

Sunday 21 May 2023 13:15 , Louis Chilton

Here’s a little video compilation of amusing highlights from Holly and Phil’s This Morning partnership down the years.

What happened to Holly and Phil? Here’s everything we know about their rumoured feud

Sunday 21 May 2023 12:46 , Roisin O'Connor

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

Was that a sly dig from Eamonn Holmes?

Sunday 21 May 2023 12:01 , Roisin O'Connor

Shortly after the news broke that Schofield was quitting This Morning with immediate effect, Eamonn Holmes, who previously launched a tirade against the ITV host and his former colleague Holly Willoughby, appeared to reference it in a Twitter post.

Holmes, who left This Morning in 2022 after 15 years on the programme alongside his wife, Ruth Langsford, has made no attempt to hide his criticism of the duo who replaced him.

Sharing a sweet photo of his granddaughter, Emilia, he added the caption: “Pappa got a smacker Thank u Emilia. All in all that rounded off what turned out to be a good day.”

Many fans were quick to assume that the “good day” might have had something to do with Schofield’s announcement.

Sunday 21 May 2023 11:31 , Roisin O'Connor

After a week of rumours of a rift between This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, it has been announced that Schofield will leave the show “with immediate effect”.

His last time presenting the ITV programme was on Thursday 18 May, bringing his presenting role of 21 years to a sudden close.

Here’s what we know about the rumoured fallout between Schofield and Willoughby:

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

What Phillip Schofield said about his relationship with Holly Willoughby

Sunday 21 May 2023 10:54 , Roisin O'Connor

ITV bosses were reportedly unhappy with Phillip Schofield’s extroardinary statement addressing rumours of an ongoing feud with his now-former This Morning co-host, Holly Willoughby.

Here’s a reminder of what he said at the time:

Phillip Schofield issues statement amid rumours of fall out with Holly Willoughby

Did Amanda Holden just throw shade at Phillip Scofield?

Sunday 21 May 2023 10:05 , Roisin O'Connor

Amanda Holden fans think the Britain’s Got Talent judge just took a swipe at Phillip Schofield, following his dramatic exit from ITV show This Morning.

Just minutes after Schofield announced he was leaving the show “with immediate effect”, Holden posted a picture of the “triumphant” emoji, showing an arm flexing its muscles, to her Instagram account.

Holden has previously appeared to express her dislike for Schofield, apparently blaming him for scuppering her chances of hosting This Morning while Willoughby was presenting I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in Australia.

Schofield said that any claim he played a role in Holden missing out on the gig as “malicious gossip”.

Holden previously took a swipe at Schofield after the infamous queuegate scandal, making a sly “get in line” dig while praising David Beckham for queueing for hours to see the late Queen Elizabeth II lying in state.

Holly Willoughby to take a break from This Morning after Phillip Schofield exit

Sunday 21 May 2023 08:54 , Roisin O'Connor

Holly Willoughby will take a break from presenting This Morning before she returns to take over the programme as its sole full-time host, ITV has said.

Metro.co.uk reports that ITV has confirmed Willoughby will return to the show on Monday 5 June, having taken an early half-term holiday that will begin on Monday 22 May.

ITV is expected to announce who will host the programme in the interim in due course.

The news comes after Willoughby shared a brief statement to her Instagram Story acknowledging Schofield’s departure. Schofield did not mention his former co-host in his own statement announcing that he was leaving the show with “immediate effect”.

What we know about the Holly-Phil ‘feud'

Sunday 21 May 2023 08:47 , Roisin O'Connor

After a week of rumours of a rift between This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, it has been announced that Schofield will leave the show “with immediate effect”.

His last time presenting the ITV programme was on Thursday 18 May, bringing his presenting role of 21 years to a sudden close.

Here’s what we know about the rumoured fallout between Schofield and Willoughby:

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

OPINION: My sympathies lie with Holly and Phil – I broke up with my ‘Work Wife’ and it broke my heart

Sunday 21 May 2023 04:15 , Nick Ferris

Everyone needs a “work spouse”.

You start out as friends but pretty soon you are sharing pointed looks, finishing each other’s sandwiches and are, from the moment you walk through that office door in the morning, joined at the hip.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have co-hosted ITV’s This Morning for 14 years — they are the textbook definition of a “work wife” and “work husband”. Which is why it stings that their relationship has reportedly hit a rough patch.

Read more from Katie Edwards here:

Opinion: I broke up with my ‘Work Wife’ and it broke my heart

Schofield’s resignation comes days after he issued an “extraordinary statement” in bid to shore up his position

Sunday 21 May 2023 03:15 , Nick Ferris

Last saturday (13 May), Phillip Schofield issued an unprecedented statement in which he admitted “the last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”

At the time, he continued to insist that Holly Willoughby was his “rock”.

You can read more about the state of play just one week ago here:

Phillip Schofield issues statement amid rumours of fall out with Holly Willoughby

What we know about Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ‘fall-out’

Sunday 21 May 2023 02:30 , Natalie Crockett

After a week of rumours of a rift between This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, it has been announced that Schofield will leave the show “with immediate effect”.

His last time presenting the ITV programme was on Thursday 18 May, bringing his presenting role of 21 years to a sudden close.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the This Morning co-hosts’ relationship is strained, and that they “barely speak” off camera.

Schofield acknowledged that “the last few weeks haven’t been easy”, but was initially keen to pour water on the claims, stating: “We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her.”

Read everything we know about the pair’s rift’:

What we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘fall-out’

What has Holly Willoughby said about Phillip Schofield leaving This Morning?

Sunday 21 May 2023 01:45 , Natalie Crockett

After more than a decade of presenting ITV’s flagship morning show together, Phillip Schofield’s onscreen partnership with Holly Willoughby has ended with the news that he is leaving the show.

Reacting to the news after weeks of speculation that all was not well between the pair, Ms 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.”