Phillip Schofield dramatically left ITV this week after revealing his affair with a much younger colleague. The 61-year-old, who came out as gay in 2020, has been dropped from all the shows he used to present on the channel following reports of a feud between him and co-presenter Holly Willoughby.
As reported by The Mirror, this includes This Morning, which he had hosted for 21 years, Dancing on Ice, game shows The Cube and 5 Rings, and hosting the British Soap Awards. He has also ‘parted ways’ with his talent agency YMU with ‘immediate effect’, so the future of his 40-year career seems uncertain, The Mirror reports.
The latest revelation in the Schofield saga was his admission to having a "consensual on-off relationship" with a male colleague, who he first met when the unnamed man was a teenager and wanted to break into the TV industry. In a bid to end days of confusion about his abrupt This Morning exit, Phil confessed he had lied to ITV, his colleagues, agents and family and friends.
Have you experienced problems with potholes on Notts' roads? Tell us here
Despite covering up the fling for years, he has insisted none of his actions were illegal. Here is everything that happened in the last 16 days that led to Phillip ending his time with ITV.
May 10 - Holly and Phil's friendship 'cools'
Reports of the breakdown of Phillip's once strong friendship with This Morning and Dancing on Ice co-host Holly Willoughby emerge. It is claimed there is a 'feud' growing between the pair and that this is causing tensions on the This Morning set.
May 11 - Phil issues first bombshell statement
Phillip issued a unexpected statement appearing to address the reported feud between him and Holly. He denied suggestions of a fall out and described Holly as his "rock" during some of the most stressful times in his life.
He said: "The last few weeks haven't been easy for either of us. My family went through a real ordeal. And Holly's support throughout meant the world to me, as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers."
May 12 - Holly 'blindsided' by Phillip's statement
It then emerged Holly had no idea her co-host was planning on releasing a statement and saw her friend's words for the first time when they were published online. The 42-year-old was said to be 'blindsided' and 'deeply upset' she wasn't told beforehand.
It is claimed Holly also wasn't told Phillip would be having three weeks off This Morning to attend the trial of his brother Timothy, who was later jailed for 12 years for child sex offences. Rather than helping the situation, The Mirror reported the statement did more damage.
May 13 - Holly and Phil call off annual holiday together
Phil and Holly had in the past enjoyed annual holidays together, but following his shock statement this reportedly was called off. This development fuelled further rumours that all was not well between him and Holly.
May 14 - Holly pushes for a new deal with ITV without Phil
The Mirror reported that Holly was pushing for a new deal with ITV as she considered a future without Phil. She is said to have asked her team to reach out in a bid to speed up a decision about the This Morning's future line-up.
It comes as sources revealed Phil has fallen from grace after years of behind-the-scenes tension and he is even jokingly nicknamed The Grim Reaper.
May 15 - Holly and Phil return to This Morning, but look glum
After a break from the show - Phil to attend his brother's court case and Holly took time off to recover from shingles - the pair returned to present This Morning. But Phil was pictured looking unhappy as he left his west London home.
May 17 - Holly and Phil 'awkward kiss' live on air
Holly and Phil shared an awkward kiss on the This Morning sofa following reports the pair were now 'barely speaking' to each other off camera. As Holly left the show early that day to head to the Palace for her Prince's Trust duties, she shared an hug and kiss with Phil on the sofa, which viewers called the 'definition of cringe'.
May 19 - Phil's brother is jailed for child sex offences
More scandal for Phil as his brother Timothy was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy. Following the guilty verdict, Phil released a statement saying he had disowned Timothy and that he 'no longer had a brother'.
May 20 - Phil quits This Morning
Phil dramatically quit This Morning, releasing a statement following 'crisis talks' with ITV bosses. The veteran TV presenter said: "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."
May 26 - Phil admits affair with younger male colleague and quits ITV
Phil admitted to having an affair with a much younger member of staff. In a bombshell statement, Phil admitted his wrongdoing but refused to name his former colleague, with whom he had a relationship with. He said: "I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.
"Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over."
ITV have said they are 'deeply disappointed' by Phil's 'admissions of deceit'. A spokesperson added: "The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.
"We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated."
Does more need to be done to clamp down on dog fouling? Vote here
READ NEXT:
