PHILLIP Schofield was axed from This Morning minutes after coming off air on Thursday — coldly denying him the possibility of a farewell to followers.
The host of 21 years was in an workplace with present chief Martin Frizzell and instructed his contract, as a result of finish this summer season, was not being renewed.
Phillip Schofield walks with mum Pat within the West Nation after he stop This MorningCredit score: Splash
Philip appears to be like glum following his departure from This MorningCredit score: Splash
Devastated Phil then drove 300 miles from London to Cornwall to see mum Pat, 85, the place he spent Friday pouring his coronary heart out to her on a coastal stroll — as our unique photos present.
His exit was confirmed yesterday, after weeks of intense hypothesis about his future and a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby, 42 — and as an insider revealed the row was even laying aside company from showing with them.
Phil, 61, was additionally anticipated to go away Dancing on Ice, which the pair additionally introduced collectively.
However he’ll host different ITV reveals.
And we are able to reveal the previous friends have had a non-public chat, regarded as on the telephone, since Thursday’s present.
A supply mentioned: “It’s been a really tough time for them however they talked concerning the finish of an period and known as one thing of a truce.”
Phil made no point out of Holly yesterday in a press release saying his shock departure.
He mentioned: “I’ve all the time been proud to cowl fascinating tales on This Morning. However just lately, This Morning itself has turn out to be the story.
“All through my profession in TV — together with the very tough previous couple of days — I’ve all the time carried out my finest to be honourable and sort.
“I perceive that ITV has determined the present state of affairs can’t go on, and I wish to do what I can to guard the present that I like.
“So I’ve agreed to step down from This Morning with fast impact, within the hope the present can transfer ahead to a vibrant future.
“I’d prefer to thank everybody who has supported me — particularly This Morning’s superb viewers — and I’ll see you all for the Cleaning soap Awards subsequent month.”
Holly, 42, saved her assertion temporary, saying: “It’s been over 13 nice years presenting This Morning with Phil and I wish to take this chance to thank him for all of his data, his expertise and his humour. The couch gained’t really feel the identical with out him.”
The mum of three will take a break from the present and return after half-term on Monday, June 5.
Emergency presenters will probably be drafted in subsequent week.
In the meantime Holly has instructed friends she intends to maintain her head down through the time she is off digicam.
ITV managing director Kevin Lygo mentioned yesterday: “Phillip is hands-down among the best broadcasters of his technology and we thank him for his twenty years value of completely terrific tv on the This Morning couch.
“This Morning is made by among the best and most diligent groups in tv, who produce over 12 hours of dwell tv every week.
“We look ahead to persevering with our relationship with Phillip beginning with The British Cleaning soap Awards in June and a model new peak-time collection to return.”
We will reveal that ITV bosses held disaster conferences on Friday and yesterday to debate Holly and Phil’s falling-out.
She was reportedly additional aggravated when he put out a press release to The Solar final week admitting “the previous couple of weeks haven’t been simple for us”.
Sources declare she knew about it solely when it was revealed by us on-line.
Bosses had determined the state of affairs was unworkable following clear on-screen pressure between them final week which led to the present shedding 170,000 viewers.
In the meantime one other insider revealed that some movie star and political company was requesting to look on Fridays with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary fairly than Holly and Phil.
The insider mentioned: “Senior producers might now not ignore this and it was changing into an actual drawback.”
Workers had been instructed to arrange for a June 6 assembly with ITV’s head of daytime Emma Gormley at which a giant announcement was due.
Nevertheless it appears the axe was wielded faster.
A TV supply: “The tense environment backstage has been fully unworkable and poisonous so bosses needed to step in and decide for the sake of the solid, crew and way forward for the present. Phil was absolutely planning on seeing out his contract with a stoic, “grin-and-bear-it perspective” and thought he might navigate the tough waters.
“However bosses have been anxious they may lose their golden woman Holly so determined to tug the plug on Phil. He was devastated.
“Crew have been none the wiser after they left work on Friday afternoon and have been absolutely anticipating to see Phil flip as much as work on Monday.
“It has felt just like the writing was on the wall for a while, however neither he nor many present employees have been anticipating ITV’s knee-jerk response.
“Producers have compiled an emergency group of fill-in hosts from their presenting roster to maintain the present afloat for the subsequent week.
However no choices have been made about who will sit alongside Holly for the long-term.”
Whereas Phil was in Cornwall on Friday his brother Tim was jailed for 12 years for child-sex offences.
Phil was wearing denims and a hoodie as he helped his mom use a strolling body.
A supply mentioned: “They’re extraordinarily shut and he would have listened intently to her opinion.”
In the meantime, a supply near Holly mentioned: “She is now targeted on a recent begin with new presenting partnerships. It seems like the precise time for renewal. Her husband Dan Baldwin is a TV govt and is extremely supportive of her behind the scenes.”
In the meantime, present boss Mr Frizell’s future can be hanging within the stability. He’s set for talks with senior exec Ms Gormley tomorrow.
Phil made no point out of Holly yesterday in a press release saying his shock departureCredit score: Rex
Holly Willoughby will take a break from This Morning and return after half-term on June 5Credit score: ITV
No choices have been remodeled who will sit alongside Holly for the long-termCredit score: PA:Press Affiliation
Philip Schofield’s farewell message to This Morning followersCredit score: Instagram/schofe