Piers Morgan has revealed that Phillip Schofield is 'utterly heartbroken' that he was not given the chance to say a 'proper goodbye' as he swiftly departed ITV's This Morning over the weekend, after a two decade tenure presenting the show.
The 61-year-old confirmed that he would be stepping down from his role with 'immediate effect' at the weekend, with co-host Holly Willoughby set to remain on board. However, the long-time fellow presenter, 42, is currently taking annual leave for the half-term break.
Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle in turn stepped in to present the show today, with Hammond being joined by Dermot O'Leary to front the show since Schofield's departure on Thursday (May 18).
The PA News Agency report that taking to his regular column in the Sun, former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan made claims that Phillip is 'utterly heartbroken' about the turn of events. He wrote: "I don’t know the full story behind Phillip Schofield’s downfall, but where I feel personal empathy with him is over the manner of his sacking.
“For ITV to not even give him the chance to say a proper goodbye to his large, loyal audience after 21 years struck me as needlessly churlish, and I know he’s utterly heartbroken about it, because he told me himself.”
An ITV Spokesperson Wednesday, said: "Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV."
Piers also recently stirred speculation as to who will be Phillip's replacement in the long-term, citing how it could well be that 'halo-clad household name' who gunned for his job after he famously stormed off the set of GMB in 2021. The 58-year-old journalist also admitted that Schofield was 'not the evil monster he's being painted' nor 'the angel is halo-clad reputation suggested' - after overcoming a '25-year-rift' with one another.
He continued: "One thing’s for sure, what’s happened to him is further evidence that the abyss-like depths of ruthless backstabbing in the world of daytime television makes even the seething cesspit of Westminster politics seem like an oasis of loyalty by comparison.
"One minute Schofield was the undisputed king of morning TV and fast heading to bona fide national treasure status, the next he’s a dethroned, shamed, vilified, national disgrace and social media laughing stock. And many of those people he mistakenly thought were faithful friends and colleagues have been happily tossing him on the bonfire in a blizzard of lurid leaks, smears and damaging headlines."
Piers also said that the last few days have been 'brutal to watch', revealing that he received an email from a former senior ITV executive who described daytime television as an 'absolute nest of vipers with zero loyalty'.
Phillip's departure comes after months of speculation into a reported rift with long-time co-host Holly, as well as his disgraced brother's sexual abuse trial.
ITV have announced that Willoughby will 'co-present with members of the This Morning family,' as she returns to screens come Monday, June 5.
The PA News agency have approached the broadcaster for a comment.
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