A celebrity chef has been praised for her tribute to former This Morning host Phillip Schofield. The 61-year-old announced his departure from the show on Saturday (May 20).
Fans of the show have commended Irish chef Clodagh McKenna, 48, for showing 'real affection' over Phillip's departure. She features on This Morning as a chef and has now been dubbed as the 'only sincere' person left on the ITV show.
As reported by The Mirror, Phillip announced his exit after rumours of a rift between him and his co-host Holly Willoughby. Since stepping down with 'immediate effect', Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary have taken over as presenters while Holly takes an early break over the school holidays.
READ MORE: This Morning's Josie Gibson relaxes as Phillip Schofield's career on the ITV show ends
Alison and Dermot did pay tribute to Phillip following the shock announcement. However, fans on Twitter called the pair 'insincere' when speaking of his departure.
Meanwhile, celebrity chef Clodagh has been praised for standing by him. She took to Instagram to say it was a pleasure to work alongside Phillip for so many years.
Sharing a snap of the pair on set in the This Morning kitchen, Clodagh said: “21 years of brightening up our mornings.
"And I’ve been so lucky to be part of 3 of them. I’ll miss the morning hug, the twinkle in your eye that makes me giggle and your empathy."
Fans took to the comment section to thank Clodagh. Some believed that she gave Phillip a 'proper send off'.
One wrote: "First person I’ve heard in support for Phil. I’ve grown up with him on the tv, always brightened up coming home from school watching him in the broom cupboard, then looking forward to Saturday mornings with ‘Going live’ I’ve enjoyed his whole career, he really will be missed."
Another said: "Good on you for speaking positive of Phil. He needs it now more than ever."
"The most sincere thing I have seen in days as this drama continues. Well done Clodagh. Phil is lucky to have a friend like you," someone else voiced.
While a fourth penned: "Clodagh well done. You are the only person that I have seen to come out and acknowledge Phil’s 21 years and that you will miss him."
Alison and Dermot began the show today (May 22) with just a brief mention of Phillip's exit.
Alison said: "Now we can't start today's show without paying tribute to the man who has spent the last two decades sitting on this sofa; Phillip Schofield."
Dermot continued: "Everyone on and off the screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he's done to make this show a success over the last 21 years." Alison added: "Quite simply we all know he's one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had and we, and all the team, wish him all the best for the future."
Explaining Holly's absence, Dermot said: "Holly is taking a break over half term, she'll be back in the studio in two weeks."
This Morning viewers were left confused by the tribute as one fan tweeted: "That was an awful goodbye segment #thismorning," and another said: "So after 20 years all Scofe gets is a 2 minute tribute at the beginning not at all awkward #ThisMorning."
"#thismorning ok turned on just to see the most insincere tribute and send off ever and l am now switching permanently to another daytime programme." another added.
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