Phillip Schofield's replacement announced for British Soap Awards
Phillip resigned from ITV with immediate effect
He's hosted the ceremony for the last 12 years, but after sensationally resigning from ITV with immediate effect last week, Phillip Schofield will no longer host The British Soap Awards 2023.
Who is hosting the British Soap Awards?
The ceremony, which will be pre-recorded and later air on Tuesday 6th June, will now be fronted by Jane McDonald.
Ahead of hosting the awards, Jane said: "Oh my god…..everyone knows how much I LOVE my soaps, this year I’ve been honoured to be mentioned in Corrie, EastEnders and Emmerdale, so this is just a dream come true. I can’t wait to see all our wonderful soap nominees and celebrate all their hard work with them - roll on the awards, I can’t wait!”
Why is Phillip Schofield not hosting the British Soap Awards?
After quitting his role on This Morning after 21 years to 'save the show', 61-year-old Phillip Schofield later resigned from ITV with immediate effect, after admitting to 'a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.'
In a sensational interview with Daily Mail, Phillip 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."
Check out all of the rumoured faces who could 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.
When are the British Soap Awards on TV?
The 2023 ceremony will be recorded on Saturday 3rd May, with the show airing on ITV/STV at 8pm on Tuesday 6th June.
What are the British Soap Awards?
First taking place back in 1999, the British Soap Awards are an annual event celebrating the British soaps such as EastEnders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors.
As well as the award for 'Best British Soap', other categories include 'Best Comedy Performance', 'Best Dramatic Performance', 'Villain of the Year', 'Scene of the Year', 'Best Young Performer', and more.
Before Phillip Schofield took over in 2009, former hosts included Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, Matthew Kelly, Des O'Connor and Melanie Sykes, Paul O'Grady, and Fern Britton.
The British Soap Awards will air at 8pm on Tuesday 6th June on ITV and STV.
Now read:
Phillip Schofield resigns from ITV with immediate effect
Holly Willoughby issues fresh statement over Phillip Schofield's affair
This Morning presenters announced after Phillip Schofield's shock exit