After 20 years on the show, former host Phillip Schofield announced his immediate departure from ITV's This Morning.
In a statement, released on Saturday (May 20), the presenter announced that after two decades he had quit the show. He confirmed he had presented his final episode on Thursday, May 18.
The announcement came amid rumours of a feud between the co-hosts, but Phillip will continue to present peak time shows for ITV including next month’s The British Soap Awards and a new prime time series. First launching in 1988, This Morning was originally hosted by husband and wife Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
READ MORE: ITV This Morning's Clodagh McKenna breaks silence on Phillip Schofield exit
From 2002, Phillip joined to host the show with Fern Britton, taking over from John Leslie. It was in 2009 that Holly Willoughby replaced Fern Britton on the famous This Morning sofa and from there the hosts have had countless moments on our screens.
Last year, to mark 20 years since Phillip joined this morning, the presenter looked unrecognisable as a throwback clip showed his This Morning debut, the ECHO previously reported. On September 6, 2022, Holly Willoughby welcomed viewers by saying she had a special treat in store for them.
At the time, she said: "We couldn’t start today’s show without mentioning something very special. Actually, it really is a huge achievement.
"Yesterday, we were doing our meeting, it’s always at the end of the show and it’s like, ‘What’s coming on tomorrow’s show’ and the producers went, ‘Did you know, it’s 20 years exactly since Phil officially started presenting on This Morning? 20 years."
Phillip admitted he couldn't believe the time had moved so quickly before a brief montage of his first day played to viewers. Sporting a fresh face and brown hair, a stark change from his recognisable silver locks, he reminisced about his first day on the job.
He said: "Oh my god, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that! That must have been the first series of I’m a Celeb… that’s mad." Phil worked alongside former presenter Fern Britton for seven years before Holly took over back in 2009.
He added: "I was nervous as well. Fern was so lovely looking after me. Wow, thank you, I haven’t heard anything about the auditions… no one’s ever told me I’ve got the job. I never forget how lucky I am, so thank you very much."
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