This Morning chef Clodagh McKenna has been praised for her gushing tribute to former host Phillip Schofield following this decision to step down from hosting the ITV daytime show on Saturday.
Irish celebrity chef Clodagh, 48, has been dubbed by a number of This Morning viewers as the 'only sincere' person on the set of the ITV programme to show 'real affection' and sadness over Phillip's departure from the show after more than twenty years.
Over the weekend, Phillip, 61, announced in a shocking statement that he was leaving This Morning 'with immediate effect' after a difficult number of weeks amid fiery reports he and his co-host of 13-years, Holly Willoughby, had ended their friendship amid a bitter feud.
Following Phil's shock exit from the show, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary were confirmed as this week's presenters, while it has been confirmed that Holly Willoughby will take an early break over the school holidays.
Appearing on the show following the drama, Alison and Dermot paid tribute to Phillip, but eagle-eyed This Morning fans immediately flocked to Twitter to accuse the pair of appearing 'insincere' when speaking of the fallen presenter.
While other This Morning stars may have come across as nonchalant about Phillip's departure, celebrity chef Clodagh has been praised for standing by Phillip and speaking in high praise of the former This Morning host.
Taking to Instagram to bid farewell to Phil, Clodagh said it was a pleasure to work alongside the star for so many years.
Alongside a snap of the pair on set in the This Morning kitchen, Clodagh shared her sadness over not being able to work with Phillip any longer.
“21 years of brightening up our mornings. And I’ve been so lucky to be part of 3 of them," the Irish chef penned.
"I’ll miss the morning hug, the twinkle in your eye that makes me giggle and your empathy," she added.
Following her post, several fans flocked to the comments to thank Clodagh for giving Phillip 'a proper send off'.
"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," one commented.
"Good on you for speaking positive of Phil. He needs it now more than ever," another echoed.
"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.The vitriol has been vile."
Despite his long tenure on the show, Alison and Dermot began the show on Monday with just a brief mention of Phillip's exit.
Kicking off the show, 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."
"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," Dermot continued before 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. Can’t watch that motley crew now. Its had its day," another added.
A fourth wrote: "Christ, Dermot looks like he's announcing that someone died talking about Schofield leaving #ThisMorning. The only thing that has died Dermot is Phillip Schofield's career and ITV's integrity."
Rumours of a "feud" between Holly and Phil dominated headlines last week and yet This Morning failed to mention the reports during their 'Morning View' segment.
