The world of British television was rocked by the announcement last week that Phillip Schofield would step down as co-host of This morning after more than 20 years.
Schofield, who presented the ITV morning talk show with Holly Willoughby, has announced his departure from the series amid reports of a behind-the-scenes “feud” between him and Willoughby.
In the days since the news broke, several other TV personalities and celebrities have offered their thoughts on Schofield’s shocking departure.
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The divisive GB News presenter Piers Morgan described the aftermath of Schofield’s departure as “brutal to watch” and criticized the “cruel backstabbing in the world of daytime television”.
“One minute Schofield was the undisputed king of morning television and quickly becoming a genuine national treasure – the next minute he was a dethroned, humiliated, vilified man. , is a national disgrace and a social media joke,” Morgan wrote.
Morgan leaves another position as host of ITV’s morning show, Good morning Englandreturn in 2021 amid controversy over his comments about the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
My own quote GMB downfall, Morgan claimed to have “personal sympathies” with Schofield over the manner in which he resigned.
Willoughby and Schofield in happier times
(Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Another celebrity who weighed in on the story was Eamonn Holmes, who previously hosted the Friday edition of This morning with his wife Ruth Langsford.
Speaking on his GB News breakfast show, Holmes stated that Schofield did not choose to resign but was in fact “fired”.
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“Oh please, stop this,” he said. “He was fired. All that nonsense about ‘I’ve decided to resign’. I’m sure you did – ‘this is your P45 now step down’.
Holmes’ statement contradicts Schofield’s statement announcing his departure. ITV later issued a disclaimer, stating: “Philip Schofield’s decision to resign This morning (as his statement makes clear) a decision has been reached between Phillip and ITV.
While storing This morning on Monday 22 May due to Willoughby’s half-term absence, guest presenters Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond addressed Schofield’s departure, paying tribute to his former colleague. Surname.
“As a show, people on and off the screen at ITV and .” said O’Leary This morning Big thanks to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the past 21 years.
Hammond added: “Very simply, we all know he is one of the best live broadcasters this country has ever had, and we and the entire team wish him all the best. in the future.”
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary
(ITV)
Last week, former fighter presenter Ulrika Jonsson weighed in on the reported “feud” between Willoughby and Schofield.
“Daytime TV is a lively, narcissistic confluence of ego, vanity, hierarchy and domination, not to mention a host of managers and agents behind the scenes,” she says. willing to compete to achieve the best results for their clients.
“However, for the show’s dedicated followers, I suspect this battle of egos is a great sadness. They have invested in both presenters for years and love them. On-screen duos are about balance, harmony and respect and it can be very difficult to get it right.”
Comedian Jack Whitehall saw the lighter side of the situation, making jokes about the “feud” on the TV show during an appearance on the BBC comedy series Chris and Rose Ramsey Show.
His witty quote had studio audiences gasping for breath as he mocked his relationship with his father to Willoughby and Schofield’s relationship.
Schofield’s statement last week read: “Throughout my career in television – including these very difficult days – I have always tried my best to be respectable and kind. Therefore, I have agreed to resign This morning with immediate effect, with the hope that the film can move forward into a bright future.”
