Phillip Schofield reportedly headed to Cornwall to visit his mum after deciding to step away from ITV's This Morning.
The 61-year-old presenter announced his decision to walk away from the hit daytime programme on Saturday afternoon after days of speculation around the future of the show and reports of a 'rift' growing between him and his co-host Holly Willoughby.
Phil, who has hosted the show for more than 20 years, released a statement, in which he said that "ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on". The Mirror reports that the presenter headed away from London to the sunny seaside county to visit his mum Pat, 85, after presenting his last show, which aired on Thursday.
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He reportedly made the 300-mile trip to the seaside to spend Friday chatting to his beloved mum on a coastal path walk, where the pair were seen chatting.
Phil shared the news with his fans on Instagram, posting on Saturday afternoon: “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.”
ITV has said Holly will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”. In her own statement, 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.”
The pair have been open about their close friendship over the years, which has included sharing pictures on social media of them while on joint holidays with their families. After reports of the pair’s relationship coming under strain, last week, Schofield said in a statement to The Sun that Willoughby is his “rock”.
Schofield took pre-planned leave from the show around his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month. Timothy Schofield, 54, was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Friday after being convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, said: “Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades’ worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa.
“This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce over 12 hours of live television each week.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip starting with The British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak time series to come.”
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