A former ITV boss has brutally branded Holly Willoughby as 'damaged goods' - and warned more is set to come out.
Ian McCulloch, former commercial director at the broadcaster, described the show's presenter Holly as 'damaged goods' after Phillip Schofield stepped down from ITV over the weekend. Phil departed This Morning the week prior but a few days later, he decided to leave ITV after admitting to lying to his bosses about an affair with a younger male colleague.
In a bombshell statement, Phil described the relationship as "unwise" but not "illegal" as he confirmed it was over now. Holly later came out to say she had no idea about the relationship, and when she had asked about it, she was told it wasn't true.
Now Ian has given his verdict on the future of This Morning - and called for new presenters.
Speaking to GB News, he said: "I do absolutely agree that none of the on-screen talent, well, those two, they cannot be associated with the show. She's damaged goods. They need a fresh start. I’m not sure that the talent that they've got, sort of running through at the minute is the right talent. But I think the show is a good show, but you certainly can't have those two.
"There is so much more to come out in this story. And I don't think her statements are particularly plausible, though it looks as though she's clinging on. I think they need to make a clean break and just move the show on."
Ian suggested the show is "getting tired" and "needs resting".
"It's happened again, the creative control isn't there. They haven't refreshed the show. We've got it in peak time with ITV, where you can see some shows are starting to look tired and they need resting," he said.
"I think from the public's point of view, this almost looks like an episode of Love Island. You put a bunch of egomaniacs together and see what's going to explode, and over time this has exploded."
Sources say a "defiant" Holly is keen to return to This Morning on Monday June 5th after the half term break.
An insider told The Sun: "She has made it clear she was one of the people Phil lied to and she has nothing to hide. She will return to This Morning as planned on Monday and carry on like the professional she is. Holly has been affected by Phil's actions and it has been very difficult. She is devoted to This Morning however and will continue to do the best job she can for them."
Following Phil's admission, Holly broke her silence to say: "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."
