Phillip Schofield has announced he is leaving This Morning after 20 years, citing the "very difficult last few days" as the reason for his departure. The presenter's exit follows weeks of speculation about a rift with co-host Holly Willoughby, with the pair's final week on air marked by noticeably less eye contact and camaraderie.
Schofield and Willoughby had long been considered daytime television's golden couple, known for their easy chemistry and viral moments. Their on-screen antics, such as laughing uncontrollably at a joke from chef Gino D'Acampo, drew millions of views. They even appeared together at the National Television Awards in 2016 after partying all night.
However, tensions began to emerge last September when the pair visited Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state. Although they had press access, many viewers perceived their visit as skipping the queue, leading to widespread criticism. ITV's chief executive, Dame Carolyn McCall, admitted the affair had taken a toll on the duo.
More recently, Schofield took time off from the show during the trial of his brother, Timothy Schofield, who was found guilty of sexually abusing a boy. According to reports, Willoughby was upset that Schofield had not warned her about the allegations or the upcoming trial.
Ultimately, the mounting headlines surrounding their strained relationship became too much of a distraction. As one source noted, when viewers no longer believe in the authenticity of the presenters, the show suffers. Schofield's departure marks the end of an era for This Morning.
