Phillip Schofield: Was the This Morning presenter fired or did he step down?

There have been a number of reports concerning This Morning’s host, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby’s relationship being under a lot of strain. On Saturday, May 20, Schofield announced that he was stepping down from This Morning after being a host for more than 20 years.

However, former This Morning host, Eamonn Holmes has a completely different view on the matter and shared his very strong opinion on Good Morning News. Indeed Eamonn Holmes also presented This Morning on occasion but was axed from the show in 2018. Since he was fired a few years before, his opinion could be coming from a place of bitterness.

Phillip Schofield announced he was stepping down from This Morning

Phillip Schofield had been hosting ITV’s This Morning for over 20 years. On Saturday, May 20, he announced he was stepping down as host after reports his relationship with co-host Holly Willoughby was strained.

Schofield said in a statement, as reported by Sky News:

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 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.

This news also comes as hisbrother is involved in a sex-abuse case.

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Eamonn Holmes thinks Phillip Schofield was fired

Eamonn Holmes appeared on Good Morning News and briefly discussed Phillip Schofield’s choice to step down from This Morning.

When the other presenter brought up the topic of Schoflied’s announcement, Eamonn said:

Please, let’s just stop this

He was sacked, right. All this nonsense

Holmes then said in a sarcastic way ‘I decided to step down’ sure you did’.

Holmes used to present This Morning with his wife Ruth Langsford, but was axed from the show back in 2018.

It is believed that Holmes and Schofield have been feuding for quite some time, which could explain Holmes's reaction to Schofield’s statement. Eamonn and Phillip were never very close but respected each other’s broadcasting style, reports Daily Mail, however, that changed in 2019 when Ruth Langsford lodge an official complaint against Phillip Schofield.

Speaking to Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine in February 2022, Holmes revealed that Schofield had a tendency to snub people as a presenter, this came after Phillip had cut Ruth off in the middle of a sentence.

Phillip is renowned for snubbing people. He’s very passive-aggressive. It’s up to Ruth to say how she felt, but I was feeling hurt for her. No one would have snubbed me like that.

He then added:

I don't go for presenters who think they have a special privilege or aura or influence.

So, was Phillip Schofield really fired?

According to Mirror, ITVbosses were prepared to fire Phillip if he and Holly Willoughby couldn't convince the public that their chemistry was still the same despite their feud.

A source told Mirror:

Bosses were worried they might lose their golden girl Holly so decided to pull the plug on Phil. He was devastated.

An insider also revealed to Mirror that the decision was 'unanimous' but Schofield had negotiated to keep his other roles on ITV, including The Cubeand Dancing on Ice, which he also hosts with Holly Willoughby.

Phil's fate was decided on Friday. It was a unanimous decision that he had to go.

He was upset, but firm that if he was going to walk away he wanted to keep his roles on The Cube, the British Soap Awards, and Dancing on Ice – crucially, with or without Holly.

The insider also explained that Schofield has been telling his friends that he was 'hung out to dry.'

ITV has released a statement

ITV has finally released a statement concerning Phillip Schofield's exit from This Morning. ITV has denied Eamonn Holmes' claim that Schofield had been sacked.

Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.

Sources used:

Sky News: 'Phillip Schofield leaves This Morning after more than 20 years'

Sky News: 'Phillip Schofield steps down from This Morning: His statement in full - and Holly Willoughby's response'

Daily Mail: 'Inside Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford's bitter feud with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby - after GB News presenter claimed former This Morning host was 'sacked'

Twitter

Mirror: 'Phillip Schofield 'AXED minutes after final This Morning show' amid Holly 'feud'

Hello!: 'ITV releases new statement about Phillip Schofield after Eamonn Holmes' 'sacked' comments'