Phillip Schofield has left the ITV show ‘with immediate effect’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Rex/Shutterstock)
Following Phillip Schofield’s final ever show on This Morning, he and Holly Willoughby are said to have had peace talks to call a ‘truce’ amid rumours of their alleged fallout.
On Saturday, Phillip, 61, confirmed in a statement that he was leaving the ITV show after more than 20 years, describing the last few days as ‘very difficult’ while adding: ‘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.’
Holly, 42, followed up with her own message on her Instagram Story, telling her followers: ‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’
Phillip hasn’t cut ties with ITV completely, as he’ll still ‘continue to present peak time shows for ITV including next month’s The British Soap Awards and a new prime time series’, the broadcaster confirmed.
Meanwhile, Holly will remain at This Morning alongside a range of co-hosts, with it likely that personalities such as Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will be among them.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
In the days since Phillip’s final time fronting This Morning on Thursday May 18, it’s been alleged that he and Holly have sought to patch up their relationship, after it was claimed that they were ‘barely speaking’ off camera.
A source said that they have forged ‘something of a truce’, despite Phillip making no mention of Holly in his departure statement.
‘It’s been a very difficult time for them but they talked about the end of an era and called something of a truce,’ the insider told The Sun.
It was thought that the pair’s alleged conversation took place over the phone.
Phillip first started working on This Morning in 2002, taking over from John Leslie and joining Fern Britton on the sofa.
Holly then joined him in 2009, with the duo going on to also host Dancing On Ice together.
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Holly and Phillip for comment.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Phillip Schofield’s This Morning departure ‘decided minutes after coming off air from final show’
Phillip Schofield has left the ITV show ‘with immediate effect’.
