ITV has announced its temporary replacements for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on today’s episode of This Morning.
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will step in to host Monday’s episode (22 May), after Schofield’s dramatic exit last week.
The 61-year-old presenter’s departure comes amid reports of a rift between him and his co-star Holly Willoughby, and after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Friday, after being convicted of child sex offences.
Soon after the announcement of his departure, Willoughby thanked her former colleague for “all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour.” She added: “The sofa won’t feel the same without him."
Schofield, 61, will not return to co-host the morning talk show, with last Thursday’s show being his last.
Willoughby will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”, ITV said. However, Metro.co.uk reports that the broadcaster said she will take a break during the half-term, returning on Monday 5 June.
Meanwhile, ITV star Amanda Holden appeared to take a swipe at Schofield’s exit on Instagram just moments after he announced his departure.