Willoughby, whose friendship is now in “tatters” after she delivered a “him or me” ultimatum to TV executives and he was fired from This Morning.
Holly Willoughby’s “him or me” ultimatum led to Phillip Schofield’s resignation from This Morning, and Schofield has since said their friendship is ruined
After Phillip Schofield unexpectedly announced his departure from This Morning on Instagram on Saturday, following his fight with co-host and ex-best friend Holly Willoughby, Schofield believes he was ‘hung out to dry’ by This Morning employers.
Schofield is claimed to have agreed to leave the program in exchange for a new solo-presenting gig and the ability to keep dialogue open about his future on shows like “Dancing on Ice,” so the couple may “call a truce” in private.
After 21 years of anchoring the midday series, the veteran broadcaster gave in to the network’s demand that he resign after a feud with his co-star prompted her to threaten to leave if he stayed.
According to the Mirror, an ITV insider said, “Phil’s fate was decided on Friday. It was a unanimous decision that he had to go.”
In a pointed social media post, he thanked supporters but made no mention of Willoughby.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers.”
After Mr. Schofield neglected to inform Ms. Willoughby, 42, about his brother’s child sex assault prosecution, the once-inseparable pair officially split.
It has been reported that Schofield, who was called a “broken man,” resisted ending his contract until the very end and required “much persuasion” to finally give in.
This means that his last day on This Morning was last Thursday.
“I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning,” Mr. Schofield stated. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.”
“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.”
“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.”
According to a reliable source: “ITV bosses had to choose which horse to back – Phil or Holly. And it was clear where their loyalties lay.”
Others agreed, saying, “Holly is the real winner in all of this as she has emerged victorious and classy.”
After several days of crisis talks at ITV, the decision was made late on Friday.
The decision to make the announcement yesterday was taken so that Schofield could leave his West London home and have a vacation away from the spotlight.
His brother Timothy was convicted of 11 counts of sexual assault against children, and he lost his job on top of that. On Friday, a judge handed out a 12-year prison term to his brother.
It was also reported that there was a lot of back-and-forth on the exit plan, specifically whether he would leave immediately or wait until the summer break and then disappear without a trace.
Since Mr. Schofield and Ms. Willoughby were accused of cutting in line to pay their respects to the Queen when she lay in state last year, the Mail on Sunday has been the first to report on the strain in their relationship.
The prosecution of Mr. Schofield’s brother, however, caused a rift in an already deteriorating friendship.
The Mail on Sunday reported last week that a runner who worked with Schofield “mysteriously” quit after becoming close with the host of This Morning.
The man, while in his twenties, switched to Loose Women on ITV before leaving the channel.
