Phillip Schofield – live: Piers Morgan responds to rumour he could join Holly Willoughby on This Morning

Louis Chilton,Peony Hirwani,Jacob Stolworthy,Inga Parkel and Annabel Nugent

Mon, 22 May 2023 at 6:53 pm BST

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary delivered a bizarre and somewhat muted tribute to ex-This Morning host Phillip Schofield as they stepped in as temporary replacements on the ITV show.

The duo, who typically present This Morning together on Fridays, appeared on the breakfast show with grim expressions, before opening with a moment dedicated to Schofield.

“We all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had,” Hammond said, while a montage of pictures showing Schofield alone, rather than with his longtime co-host Holly Willoughby, played on screen.

The 61-year-old presenter’s departure comes amid reports of a rift between him and Willoughby, and after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Friday, after being convicted of child sex offences.

Willoughby will remain on the show and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”, ITV said. However, Metro.co.uk reports that the broadcaster said she will take a break during the half-term, returning on Monday 5 June.

Key Points

• Holly Willoughby issues statement after Phillip Schofield quits This Morning
• This Morning ‘became the story’: Schofield statement in full
• Amanda Holden appears to take a swipe at Schofield after quitting announcement
• Schofield pictured in Cornwall after leaving London following exit
• Piers Morgan shuts down rumours of replacing Schofield