Philip Scofield is resigning as co-host of This Morning “with immediate effect” amid reports of an escalating feud with Holly Willoughby.
Rumors of growing tension between the pair have grown increasingly frequent in recent weeks, with various media stories on the increasingly strained relationship between the hosts.
In a statement released on Saturday afternoon, Scofield, 61, referenced the continued speculation, lamenting the fact “this morning has become the story”. “I understand that ITV has decided that the current situation cannot go ahead,” he said. Last Thursday’s episode will now be his last.
Schofield hosted the daytime magazine show for more than 20 years, sharing a sofa with Willoughby for 13 of them. Willoughby, 42, will stay on as a presenter alongside “members of the This Morning family”, ITV announced. In response to Scofield’s resignation, Willoughby said “Sofa won’t feel the same without him”.
Schofield will continue to work for the broadcaster, ITV’s statement said, including hosting the British Soap Awards in June and “a new peak time series to come”.
This Morning has won five National Television Awards for Best Daytime Show in a row, thanks in large part to Scofield and Willoughby’s perceived easy chemistry and relaxed presenting style. The pair were also given the rare colloquialism for British light entertainment personalities, known only by their first names – “Holly and Phil”.
But the pair ran afoul of public opinion last year when many believed they jumped the queue ahead of the public and David Beckham to pay their respects to the late queen as she lay in state at Westminster Hall.
The presenters have had a turbulent few weeks in their personal lives, leading to both taking separate breaks from the programme. Scofield’s brother was jailed for 12 years on Friday after pleading guilty to sexually abusing an underage teenage boy.
Timothy Schofield, 54, who was a civilian police officer with the Avon and Somerset force at the time of the abuse, was found guilty of 11 sex offenses involving a child. Philip Scofield had rejected them during the first trial, and had taken a planned vacation before presenting to duties.
Willoughby has also been absent this year, after being forced to take time off to recover from illness.
Schofield has previously tried to dispel rumors of a split, releasing a statement calling Willoughby “my rock”. But the chorus of speculation about their deteriorating relationship grew louder, which led to Scofield’s statement on Saturday.
It read: “I have always been proud to cover the fascinating stories this morning. But recently this morning has become the story itself.
“Throughout my career in TV – including the difficult days of the last few days – I have always done my best to be respectful and kind. I understand that ITV have decided that the current situation cannot go ahead, and I I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
“I have therefore agreed to stand down with immediate effect from This Morning in the hope that the show can move on to a brighter future. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially the wonderful This Morning VIEWERS – And I’ll see you all next month for the SOAP Awards.
Willoughby said: “It has been more than 13 years since I presented This Morning with Phil and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without it.”
ITV’s managing director, media and entertainment, Kevin Ligo called Scofield “handed over one of the best broadcasters of his generation” as he thanked him for his two decades of service on the sofa this morning.
“This morning is created by one of the best and hardest-working teams in television, producing over 12 hours of live television each week. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip, which began in June will be from the British Soap Awards and there will be a brand new peak time series to come.
It comes weeks after Schofield tried to quash the rumors in a lengthy statement to The Sun.
“As I’ve said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she’s been an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through the good and the bad From. And I’ve been there for that,” he said.
He added: “The past few weeks have not been easy for either of us. My family went through a real ordeal, and Holly’s support meant the whole world to me – as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizzell and the whole This Morning family, including our wonderful viewers. No matter what happens, we can still count on each other.”
But the statement arguably did more to highlight the rumored problems between the pair.