Phillip Schofield has been replaced by Loose Women legend Jane McDonald as host of this year’s British Soap Awards, ITV has confirmed.
Schofe, 61, dramatically quit ITV last week after he admitted he had lied about having an affair with a younger male member of staff.
As well as having previously stepped down from This Morning, it was confirmed that he would no longer host 2023’s British Soap Awards, which will take place in Manchester this weekend.
READ MORE: Holly Willoughby and This Morning hosts to be quizzed in Phillip Schofield probe
Now, the network has confirmed his replacement, and it’s none other than soap mega fan and TV icon Jane McDonald.
Singer 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.”
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She went on: “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.”
The biggest names in the UK’s favourite soaps – Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Doctors – will come together for a night of glitz and glam and celebration.
They will be battling it out to be recognised for their work on some of the most hard-hitting storylines from over the past year – and fans can vote until 5pm on Friday (June 2).
(Image: Getty Images)
The announcement comes after ITV announced they would be launching an external enquiry into the scandal, which saw Schofe admit to having an affair with a young runner and lying to bosses about it.
It’s believed that his former co-stars Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Ruth Langsford, among others, will be quizzed, after ITV confirmed rumours of the affair had circulated previously.
ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall said on Wednesday (May 31) in a statement: “The ITV employee was aged 19 when he first did work experience at This Morning in 2015 and 20 years old when he applied and succeeded in securing a job as a runner on the show.
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“He subsequently applied for and was successful in securing a promotion to Loose Women in 2019. He left ITV in 2021.
“As you would imagine given the social media scrutiny of him, we have offered him our support throughout this period and indeed are still doing so.
“The employee has made it clear that he does not wish to be named or identified in connection with this matter. We would be grateful if you would be mindful of this.”
(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
She continued: “The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.
“Phillip made assurances to us and his agency which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.
“We consider our approach was reasonable and proportionate at the time and in the circumstances.
“We believe that we did not have any grounds to mount any other sort of investigation.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
