Phillip Schofield was axed from This Morning after a tense showdown with bosses... in a trade-off which protects his other ITV roles.
The presenter, who has fronted the show for 18 years, had faced intense scrutiny since a bitter rift with co-host Holly Willoughby was made public.
And insiders last night revealed his fate was unanimously decided in meetings at ITV Daytime on Friday.
READ MORE - Phillip Schofield QUITS This Morning immediately after Holly Willoughby 'feud'
Bosses then set up a call with Phil’s management company YMU in order to break the news.
It is understood Head of Daytime Emma Gormley and Head of Programmes Kevin Lygo then both spoke to 61-year-old Phil.
He agreed to walk away on the basis that conversations about his roles on other shows like Dancing on Ice remain active – and he was promised a new show which he will host solo.
Yesterday – after two weeks of on-screen awkwardness and ratings going into free fall – Phil announced in a statement on Instagram that he was stepping down in a bid to "protect the show that I love".
But behind the scenes he moaned to sympathisers he had "been hung out to dry" by Holly and TV chiefs.
Sources say he and Holly, 42, have not spoken since the decision was made, and while she issued a quote paying tribute to her long-term co-star and former best pal, his statement notably made no mention of her.
Phil’s contract was up in September. His place will be filled by other ITV hosts, with Alison Hammond as main back-up to Holly.
Meanwhile, ITV bosses are thought to see his exit as an opportunity to "lock in" Holly at the channel after she built a relationship with the BBC while hosting reality show Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof. A source said: "Phil’s fate was decided on Friday. It was a unanimous decision that he had to go.
"He was upset, but firm that if he was going to walk away he wanted to keep his roles on The Cube, the British Soap Awards, and Dancing on Ice – crucially, with or without Holly.
"And they agreed to the terms he laid out. As far as he was concerned, if he was going to take one for the team, they would owe him.
"It has all been worked out in the smoothest way possible, but behind the scenes he has told friends he has been hung out to dry.
"And his friendship with Holly is now in tatters.
"It is hard to see how it could recover. The fact he chose to pointedly thank people who supported him – and the viewers – without mentioning her says it all."
Phil’s statement, released on Instagram just before 4pm on Saturday, read: "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 I love. So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope the show can move forward to a bright future. I’d like to thank everyone who supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month."
In a statement released by ITV, Holly 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."
She also posted the message on Instagram with a love heart. But sources said she is relieved the drama is over –after urging bosses to tackle the crisis.
The source went on: "The advantage of this happening now is that summer is not far off and Holly can return in September with a new-look show.
"The rift has really taken its toll and she was seriously considering quitting. The tables have really turned now and she is in the strongest position ever – with ITV keen to make the most of the opportunity to lock her in."
Holly and Phil once had tremendous chemistry. But in recent days viewers saw them exchange an awkward kiss – and they looked less than close on their last show, on Thursday.
It all came at a torrid time for Phil. He took three weeks off as his brother Timothy, 54, stood trial for sexual offences involving a child. He was jailed for 12 years on Friday – after Phil disowned him in a statement.
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