Phillip Schofield parted ways with ITV after admitting to having an affair with a younger member of staff at the channel but despite declaring he "lied" to his family, colleagues and management, This Morning may fall victim to the presenter's bombshell admission.
ITV shocked This Morning fans by announcing Phillip's immediate departure from the show after reports circulated of a "feud" between Phillip and Holly Willoughby.
The statement confirmed Phillip would remain on ITV and would continue to host The British Soap Awards as planned.
However, the presenter announced he was stepping down from ITV on Friday after admitting to having an affair with a younger colleague at This Morning leaving the show's future hanging in the balance.
Here's everything we know about the former This Morning presenter's affair and what's next for This Morning...
Phillip's This Morning axe
Last Saturday, ITV announced Phillip's immediate exit from This Morning, with the presenter fronting his final episode on Thursday, May 18.
In a statement, in which he failed to mention co-host Holly, he said: "Phillip Schofield said: “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.
“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 – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
'Insincere' This Morning tribute
After the news of Phillip's exit, it was confirmed Holly would be taking an early half-term break while Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary took over presenting duties.
In the first instalment since ITV's statement, Alison and Dermot began the show with a brief mention of Phillip's exit.
Alison said: "Now we can't start today's show without paying tribute to the man who has spent the last two decades sitting on this sofa – Phillip Schofield."
"Everyone on and off the screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he's done to make this show a success over the last 21 years," Dermot continued before 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."
This Morning fans began to question the "insincere" tribute as one fan tweeted: "So after 20 years all Scofe gets is a 2 minute tribute at the beginning not at all awkward #ThisMorning," and another wrote: "#thismorning ok turned on just to see the most insincere tribute and send off ever and l am now switching permanently to another daytime programme. Can’t watch that motley crew now. Its had its day."
Phillip reveals affair
In a shocking statement, Phillip admitted to having an affair while he was still married to his now-ex-wife Stephanie Lowe.
He shared: "The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning."
"I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife...," he said in a statement released to the Daily Mail.
He continued: “I have therefore decided to step down from the British Soap Awards, my last public commitment, and am resigning from ITV with immediate effect expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me.
“I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.”
Phillip claimed he covered up the fling for years in a bid to "protect" his former colleague as he insisted the relationship was "unwise" but not "illegal".
The former This Morning presenter reportedly met the man he went on to have an affair with with when the boy was 15 during a visit to his drama school.
Phillip later secured him an interview for a job at This Morning and he was hired as a production assistant for ITV when he turned 18.
The former ITV presenter, who was in his 50s at the time, began a friendship with the young man which subsequently turned into an affair, according to The Mail on Sunday.
Phillip dropped by management
As Phillip confirmed his affair, he agreed to part ways with his management company of 35 years, YMU Group.
Mary Bekhait, the Group CEO of YMU Group, said:
“Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU’s whole business, defining everything we do. Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust.
“This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield. These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him. As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect.”
ITV's investigation
A spokesperson told the Mirror: "When rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.
"Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip's then agency YMU.
"In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.
"Phillip’s statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship."
Holly's 'hurt' over Phillip's lies
Following the news of Phillip's affair, Holly took to Instagram to share a statement.
She wrote: "It's taken time to process yesterday's news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie."
Holly previously praised her co-star when it was confirmed he would be stepping down from This Morning.
At the time, she 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.”
This Morning future
Since the news of Phillip's exit, rumours have been rife over his potential replacement but the confirmation of his affair has led to calls for This Morning to be axed.
Despite the backlash, an ITV Spokesperson said: "As we said on the record yesterday, This Morning is not under review and there’s no plans for the show to be axed. This Morning will return as normal tomorrow.”
However, a source has claimed the programme is in trouble and ITV bosses may have to consider its future.
A top source told Mirror : “The reality is things have gone too far. The show and the brand are tarnished beyond repair – no one is going to want to appear on it and Carolyn McCall is looking to axe it. Her job could also be on the rocks. Behind the scenes it’s being said that it is a ‘f***ing nightmare’.”
