Phillip Schofield has left This Morning after more than 20 years (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Phillip Schofield ‘needs to lay low and move out of the limelight’ after his bombshell This Morning exit, according to a PR expert.

The 61-year-old announced his departure from the ITV daytime programme after more than 20 years, as reports continued to swirl about a ‘fallout’ with Holly Willoughby.

The pair were said to be ‘barely speaking’ behind-the-scenes and it was claimed that their relationship had ‘cooled’.

Following Phil announcing his departure from the ITV daytime programme, it was confirmed that Holly, 42, would continue presenting, while Phil would go on to present a ‘new peak time series’.

Since confirming his exit, Phil has reportedly opened up personally to Piers Morgan, admitting he’s heartbroken.

And while he’s yet to speak out himself on the situation, a specialist has now suggested Phil should ‘lay low’ to ‘rebuild a damaged reputation’.

Phil and Holly Willoughby were said to be ‘barely speaking’ (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Josh Wheeler, Founder of Be Broadcast, a specialist broadcast PR agency, said: ‘Firstly, rebuilding a damaged reputation takes time, consistency, and a genuine commitment to change.

‘It’s crucial for this to be authentic, demonstrate growth, and continuously engage with its audience in a positive and responsible manner.

‘However, Phil needs to lay low for a period of time.

‘It would be worth considering doing one interview with one big title – but then moving out of the limelight.

‘This presents risks in its own right – but may help to detail his side of the story.

‘Give this time, show the learnings and come back with a new approach and focus.

‘Sometimes a change is as good as a rest.’

Holly will continue to present This Morning (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Phillip confirmed he had quit in a statement released on Saturday May 20, while his departure was addressed on Monday’s instalment by Alison Hammond, 48, and Dermot O’Leary, 49, who described him as ‘one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had’.

However, the fact that he wasn’t able to bid farewell directly to his audiences on This Morning is said to have greatly upset him, according to former Good Morning Britain personality Piers, 58.

The TalkTV broadcaster expressed how much ‘empathy’ he’s feeling towards Phillip regarding his situation and how his exit unfolded after more than two decades on the weekday daytime show.

‘I don’t know the full story behind Phillip Schofield’s downfall, but where I feel personal empathy with him is over the manner of his sacking,’ he wrote for The Sun.

‘For ITV to not even give him the chance to say a proper goodbye to his large, loyal audience after 21 years struck me as needlessly churlish, and I know he’s utterly heartbroken about it because he told me himself.’

Phil’s Dancing On Ice future will be confirmed in ‘due course’ (Picture: James Veysey/Shutterstock)

Following his exit, Holly added in a statement: ‘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.’

While ITV are to announce Phil’s Dancing On Ice future in ‘due course’, Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director, Media and Entertainment said: ‘Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa. 

‘This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce over 12 hours of live television each week.’

‘We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip starting with The British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak time series to come.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1.

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