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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Phillip Schofield breaks silence on ITV security alert and shares where he went during evacuation

Phillip Schofield has taken to social media to confirm everything is ok after This Morning was suddenly pulled off air.

The presenter was hosting the show as usual alongside Holly Willoughby on Thursday when a security alert meant the live show disappeared.

When the ITV daytime show returned from a break at around 12.14pm, the programme's opening titles ran again with Holly and Phil in different outfits, presenting a compilation-style show.

READ MORE: ITV This Morning viewers baffled as live show with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield suddenly pulled

Before the break, Holly had said: "See you after the break," with no signs of there being any issues behind-the-scenes.

But as the programme returned, Phillip said: "Welcome to This Morning. As we can’t be with you live today we have lined up some of our best bits to enjoy."

The re-run episode aired for the final 15 minutes of the programme and showed an interview with a tree-hugger and with "Britain’s dullest men."

(ITV)

Viewers quickly flocked to social media to ask about what was going on and the issues continued with Loose Women at 12.30pm which was also replaced by a pre-recorded episode.

Presenter Nadia Sawalha told viewers they were seeing a "very special episode" of the panel show, which would be showing the best bits of the Life Before Loose series.

Tweets on the This Morning and Loose Women accounts said: "We apologise for the break in live programming today. We are currently running pre-recorded content and hope to be back with you soon."

Stars of both shows, as well as their crews, were evacuated while police closed off the area surrounding Wood Lane and White City after discovering a "suspicious item".

A statement from the Metropolitan Police confirms: "At 11:14hrs on Thursday, 10 March, police were called to reports of a security alert at Wood Lane, White City. It was reported a suspicious item had been discovered.

(ITV)

"The area was evacuated as a precaution and White City and Wood Lane tube stations were temporarily closed. The incident was stood down shortly before 12:49hrs. An investigation is ongoing."

Phillip has now said it was a false alarm and that they were allowed back in the building.

Posting a snap of him smiling on his Instagram story from his dressing room, the 59-year-old wrote: "Back in my dressing room @thismorning after a security alert.

"All ok and thankfully a false alarm. Thank you to our team @thisistvc and @metpolice_uk for being amazing..." he added before revealing where he had got off to when the show finished unexpectedly early.

Phillip shared an update (Phillip Schofield Instagram)

"I've been at the pub with everyone, now back to get my house keys," he said.

An identical tweet from This Morning and Loose Women's official accounts this afternoon read: "We apologise for the break in live programming today. We are currently running pre-recorded content and hope to be back with you soon."

A spokesperson for ITV has since told the Manchester Evenng News : "Due to a suspected security alert, the building which ITV daytime broadcast from was safely evacuated. The issue has been resolved and staff have returned to the building following the all clear from the police. We apologise for the interruption to the schedule and we have now returned to normal programming."

READ MORE: Holly Willoughby has ITV This Morning viewers in stitches with lipstick 'confession'

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