Why Was Phillip Schofield Sacked From “This Morning”?
Phillip Schofield’s adultery and sacking controversy has shaken the entertainment world in recent weeks, and every day brings new details.
He was accused of having an affair with a “much younger employee” at ITV this weekend. Later reports said the 61-year-old anchor met the then-boy on a school trip and helped him secure a production assistant job on This Morning.
The affair’s investigation and reports that it may have disregarded up to eight formal complaints have raised questions about whether the show will continue or be canceled.
What Were The Conflict Rumors?
Rumors of a deepening rift between Schofield and his 13-year co-star Holly Willoughby surfaced last month. On May 11, The Daily Mail said that the couple are “not as close as they once were” and rarely communicate off camera. Fans noticed that they rarely giggled as they did on earlier programs.
Three years ago, according to the UK news outlet, Willoughby left talent agent YMU, which Schofield represents and owns. Willoughby founded Roxy Management, a talent agency, and sued YMU over her future wages.
Willoughby settled out of court for £1 million (NZ$2m), apparently dividing the couple.
Following that, Daily Mail said that the duo was in trouble after the public criticized them for reportedly “skipping the queue” at Westminster Hall to see the Queen lying in state. After Schofield took three weeks off in March while his brother was on trial for child sex offenses, things changed. Willoughby was “deeply upset” to learn about the trial from a third party. After the trial, they appeared nasty on air, with many picking up on their tension.
“This Morning” Bids Goodbye to Phillips!
ITV chose Willoughby to back in the scandal after two weeks of turmoil. The legendary morning show host announced his abrupt departure from This Morning on May 21. He aimed to “protect the show that I love” when it had “become the story”. Willoughby thanked her former co-host:
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, experience, and humor. Without him, the sofa feels different.
According to friends, Schofield was devastated, feeling betrayed by Willoughby after obtaining her position and guiding her for 14 years. They stated he felt “hung out to dry“. Just days following the announcement, Schofield received a substantial payout from ITV amid reports he was “sacked“.
According to The Sun, the celebrity paid £300,000 ($593,000) for agreeing to leave, but he still feels “let down” by the network. “Phil has been paid This Morning wages for six months, but if that was meant to make him feel better, it’s not working,” they claimed. After GB News breakfast program host Eamonn Holmes shockingly stated Schofield was “sacked” live on television.
Problems Faces In “This Morning” Homage
After his resignation, Willoughby announced a two-week hiatus from hosting, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary taking over. The compensation and firing claims were just the tip of the Schofield affair. After ITV, Schofield, and Willougby’s remarks, the temporary hosts briefly mentioned Schofield’s departure in the first episode.
Hammond continued,
“Now, we can’t start today’s show without paying tribute to the man who has spent the last two decades sitting on this sofa – Phillip Schofield.”
O’Leary said –
Everyone on and off the screen at ITV and This Morning want to thank Phil for what he’s done to make this show a success over the last 21 years.
Hammond added,
“Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had, and we, and all the team, wish him all the best.
Phillip And His Affair With The Younger!
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Days after the controversy broke, another bombshell hit. This time, Schofield admitted to having an affair with a younger This Morning coworker and resigned from ITV for lying about it. After announcing his departure from the show, the 61-year-old admitted to having an affair, calling it “unwise” but “not illegal” on Friday. He claimed he was “deeply sorry” for lying to his wife and ITV about his friendship with a young man.
On Sunday, Mail said that the two met when the veteran TV presenter delivered a talk at a theatre school, putting the child, aged 15, and Schofield in his 40s. The affair started after the boy was older and legal. A tearful on-air disclosure in February 2020 after 27 years of marriage to his wife revealed Schofield’s homosexuality.
Investigating ITV and ‘Lies’ Behind the Rumors!
On Saturday (NZT), ITV admitted it examined Schofield’s affair with the younger staffer as early as 2020. It questioned Schofield and the younger man, but both “repeatedly denied” the rumors. Holly Willoughby said Schofield lied about the romance. However, UK-based New Zealand writer Dan Wootton said in the Daily Mail that he and other media figures knew about Schofield’s affair in 2019 when he was an ITV daytime presenter. Wootton called ITV’s group corporate affairs and communications director Paul Moore after speaking to eight ITV stars about Schofield’s “toxic behavior, specifically the inappropriate relationship with the man” as executive editor of The Sun but said the broadcaster had no intention of investigating the information.
Conclusion: Is “This Morning” going to be back?
ITV begins damage control after ousting Schofield from This Morning, with PR experts questioning its future. Sources close to Willoughby told the Daily Mail that the scandal has been “traumatic” for the host and a “time of real sadness” because she had a long friendship with Schofield. However, she has “absolutely no plans to leave” the show. An ITV representative told The Mirror: “As we said on the record yesterday, This Morning is not under review and there are no plans to ax the show. This Morning will resume tomorrow.”
FAQs
Are Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby still friendly?
The duo, which was once a favored double act on television, no longer gets along. Holly, according to The Mirror, has not been “the same” since their separation, which has caused distress for both parties.
Is Phillip Schofield the divorced spouse?
Stephanie was ‘devastated’ after accepting his denials of the rumors, given that she shares two daughters with the host. A source stated that she and her ex-husband are “still in love,” which explains why she has not initiated divorce proceedings.
What is the news of Holly’s departure this morning?
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director for media and entertainment, stated, “We express our sincere regret for Holly’s departure from This Morning, but we fully appreciate the dignity of her decision, which we are certain was extraordinarily challenging.
