A date has been confirmed for Phillip Schofield's return to television after his exit from ITV show This Morning. It was announced on Saturday, May 20, that after 20 years of hosting This Morning, Philip would be stepping back from the daytime show.
This news came after rumours of a 'feud' between the 61 year old and co-host Holly Willoughby, who reportedly were 'barely speaking' behind the scenes. The presenter appeared for the last time on the programme on Thursday, May 18, due to his exit being with 'immediate effect' reports The Manchester Evening News.
In a statement, the presenter said: "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.
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"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."
Since 2009 Holly and Phillip have hosted the show together, and also host Dancing on Ice as a pair. She stated: "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." However, viewers won't have to go too long without Philip on their screens, as he added at the end of his statement: "And I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month."
The annual event is set to take place on Saturday, June 3, at The Lowry in Salford. The awards night will see the stars of Coronation Street, Emmerdale, This Morning and Doctors out in force as they face being rewarded for their work on screen over the last year.
ITV has confirmed a two-hour slot for the pre-recorded ceremony, which is due to air on Tuesday, June 6 at 8pm. Fans can vote for their favourites in the Best Leading Performer and Best British Soap categories, and for the first time since 2014, the Best Villain category has been returned to a public vote.
Meanwhile, Amanda Holden has backed Dermot O’Leary to replace Phillip on This Morning after reigniting her 'feud' with her former ITV colleague. Dermot and his usual Friday co-host Alison Hammond stepped in to present This Morning on Monday and Tuesday, while Craig Doyle took the helm with Alison on Wednesday.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda, who has previously spoken of an apparent rift between her and Phillip, backed the former X Factor host for a permanent place on the ITV sofa. Appearing on her Heart Breakfast show, co-host Jamie Theakston asked if she thinks Dermot would be “good to replace” Phillip.
The 52-year-old said: "Yes. I think him and Alison do a great job, don’t they?" This comes after Amanda took to Instagram when news of Phillip's This Morning exit broke, simply posting the flexed bicep emoji against a black backdrop to her main grid.
The comments quickly flooded with messages as she left the post with no caption. She is said to have fallen out with Phillip after he allegedly blocked her from being Holly’s replacement on the sofa while she took on I’m A Celebrity hosting duties with Declan Donnelly back in 2018.
Speaking on her Heart FM breakfast show back in 2019, Amanda confessed it "wasn't nice to wake up to those headlines this weekend," about her apparent 'feud'. Asked by radio co-host Jamie Theakston if she had offered an olive branch she said: "Yes, I text him recently but didn't get a text back."
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