Phillip Schofield resigns from ITV with immediate effect
He's admitted lying to his colleagues, friends and employers
Last updated 28th May 2023
Just days after deciding to step down from his hosting role on This Morning after 21 years, Phillip Schofield has released another statement, revealing he's resigning from ITV with immediate effect, and therefore won't present the British Soap Awards in June.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning. I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.
"Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than a just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over...
"I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife..
"I am resigning from ITV with immediate effect, expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me.
"I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it."
See who is rumoured to replace Phillip on This Morning:
Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond is the Friday host alongside Dermot O'Leary, but she's currently one of the favourites to take the full time role.
Dermot O'Leary
He hosts the show on a Friday alongside Alison Hammond, but fans would love to see Dermot O'Leary in a more full time role.
Josie Gibson
As well as being a loved member of the This Morning team, Josie has been promoted to host in recent months during the holidays, alongside Irishman Craig Doyle. And now she's appearing in I'm A Celeb, will she host the show permanently in 2024?
Cat Deeley
After joining Rylan Clark in November 2023 to host the show, fans were calling for Cat Deeley to become a permanent presenter!
Craig Doyle
Craig joined the This Morning team in 2021, presenting competitions before being promoted to a stand-in host alongside Josie Gibson. In recent months, Craig has presented the main show alongside the likes of Alison Hammond, Mollie King, Rochelle Humes, and Holly Willoughby.
Since Phillip's departure, Craig has been presenting the show frequently alongside Holly.
Rylan Clark
Until recently, Rylan Clark was a regular face on This Morning, stepping in to host the show as well as being the showbiz reporter. Now there's a position going, will Rylan leave his radio show to return?
Stacey Solomon
Stacey Solomon is firm favourite at ITV, having been a popular panellist on Loose Women for a number of years. Following Phillip's departure earlier this year, many of Stacey's fans believed she'd hinted she could be about to replace him, after revealing she'd just had 'one of the most exciting meetings of my life.'
Marvin and Rochelle Humes
Rochelle is a current member of the This Morning team and has stepped in to host the show a number of times, and she's also number of other shows alongside her husband Marvin! The pair would be a great fit!
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford
Former Friday hosts Ruth Langsford and her husband Eamonn Holmes were replaced by bosses by Alison and Dermot, but could they be tempted to return to host the show?
Ben Shephard
Ben Shephard is a regular face on the ITV circuit - not only is he a regular presenter for Good Morning Britain, he also hosts daytime challenge show Tipping Point. He's an official stand-in on This Morning, having hosted alongside Holly in October, so could his role become more permanent?
Davina McCall
Davina is loved by TV fans across the UK, and she's been a regular guest on the show over the years, as well as occasionally stepping in to host.
Christine Lampard
Christine Lampard (née Bleakley) has been a stand-in for Holly Willoughby in the past, and she often presents Lorraine when Lorraine Kelly is off on holiday, meaning she's very well liked at ITV!
Gok Wan
Fashion guru and chef Gok Wan was a huge hit with viewers when he hosted the show alongside Rylan Clark back in 2018, and he's now a regular guest presenter on the show!
Vanessa Feltz
Vanessa Feltz has been a TV personality since 1992 - so she's VERY experienced. Having previously presented the show and often giving advice to callers, she wouldn't be a stranger to the show.
Abbey Clancy
Rumours are rife that TV presenter and model Abbey Clancy is the new favourite to replace Holly. The mum-of-four had a good relationship with ITV, having recently worked with them on Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes.
Hannah Waddingham
Actress and TV presenter Hannah Waddingham has also been thrown into the hat for the role. Known for roles on Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones and this year's Marks and Spencer Christmas advert, as well as presenting Eurovision 2023, Hannah would be a very popular choice.
After weeks of rumours regarding his relationship with co-host Holly, Phillip released a statement on Saturday 20th May to announce he'd made the decision to step down from the show after 21 years.
He wrote on Instagram: 'I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
'Throughout my career in TV - including the very difficult last few days - I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
'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.
'I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me - especially This Morning's amazing viewers - and I'll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.' (sic)
ITV are yet to reveal who will replace Phillip at the British Soap Awards in June.