Phillip Schofield was forced to step down from his role as This Morning host after Holly Willoughby reportedly told ITV bosses that she did not want to work with him anymore.
ITV confirmed Phil will be leaving his position with immediate effect with a statement at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
Holly will remain in the role and is set to "co-present with members of the This Morning family".
The presenting duo have fronted the ITV daytime show together for over 13 years, with the pair now reported to be "barely" speaking off camera and away from their roles on the programme.
They were once the best of friends, but their relationship has been strained with Holly cutting all contact with Phillip in recent weeks.
And it is believed that it was Holly who gave the "ultimatum" to ITV bosses, who chose to support the 41-year-old mum of three.
A source told Daily Mail: "It was basically an ultimatum, Holly won the war. We say what Holly wants, Holly gets and never was a truer word spoken."
However, an ITV source has since confirmed to the Mirror that talent have no input in editorial decisions and Phil decided to leave on his own accord.
Phil will remain as part of the ITV team despite stepping down, as he remains as the host of the Soap Awards and will be the face of the a new prime-time show for the broadcaster.
It has now emerged that Holly won't be appearing on the sofa next week due to previously planned time off.
It's believed that both Holly and Phillip had planned to take the week off and would be returning to the ITV studio on June 5 in line with the half-term period.
Other presenters including Dermot O'Leary, Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson and Rylan Clark often step into the shoes of Holly and Phillip.
Holly will return, but Phil won't as he released a heartfelt statement announcing his decision to leave.
He wrote on his Instagram Stories: "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."
Holly also took to her Instagram Stories to pay a sweet tribute to her former co-host on Saturday evening.
She wrote: "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."
*Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .
