Phillip Schofield was reportedly axed from ITV’s This Morning right after coming off air on Thursday (May 18) – in what became his final ever show.
The former This Morning host, 61, announced he was leaving the daytime show with “immediate effect” after 21 years on Saturday (May 20).
It comes after a reported rift between him and co-star Holly Willoughby, with rumours suggesting they’ve stopped talking and that their friendship has ‘cooled’.
READ MORE: Five signs of tension between Holly and Phil in final week as he quits This Morning
Taking to Instagram, Phillip revealed in a statement that ITV has decided the “current situation” couldn’t go on and that he wanted to protect the show that he loved.
It has now been reported that Phil was told his This Morning contract was not being renewed just minutes after finishing the show on Thursday, which would have left him unable to say goodbye to fans on camera.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
But an ITV spokesperson has denied the reports, telling Daily Star: “Phil has not been let go. He has stepped away from This Morning presenting duties having co-presented the show for over 20 years.”
According to The Sun, Phil was told by show boss Martin Frizzell that his contract, which was due to end this summer, was not being renewed.
The publication also alleged that he drove from London to Cornwall on Friday and ‘poured his heart out’ to his 85-year-old mum Pat.
Snaps of Phil enjoying a coastal walk with his mum Pat in Cornwall were also shared by The Sun following his departure from the show.
(Image: ITV)
Another photo showed the presenter looking downbeat as he walked through a car park in the area.
In his statement on Instagram, Phil insisted that he agreed to step down from the show and hoped that it could move forward to a “bright future” without him.
He wrote: “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.”
(Image: ITV)
Thanking his supporters, he concluded: “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.”
Holly has since confirmed that she will continue to host the show even though it ‘won’t be the same’ without Phil.
Daily Star has contacted ITV for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
