Holly Willoughby is taking a break this morning
According to The Sun, Willoughby and former co-host Phillip Schofield were due to take a week’s break from ITV’s This Morning program from later this week before returning on Monday 5 June.
Despite Schofield’s announcement on Saturday (May 20) that he would be permanently stepping down from the breakfast show, effective immediately, Willoughby is still reportedly taking the agreed week off.
willoughby’s week off, The sun The said is for the halftime.
Why did Phillip Schofield leave this morning?
Phillip Schofield, who has been the presenter of ITV’s This Morning since 2002, announced on Saturday that he was stepping down from his role on This Morning with immediate effect.
Schofield’s decision followed rumors of an off-air falling out with Willoughby.
His announcement on Instagram read: “I’ve always prided myself on covering fascinating stories on This Morning. But lately, This Morning has become history itself.”
“Throughout my career in television – including the very difficult last few days – I have always tried my best to be honorable and kind.
“I understand that ITV has decided the current situation cannot continue and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.”
“As a result, I have agreed to step down from This Morning, effective immediately, in the hope that the show can see a bright future.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially the amazing viewers of This Morning – and see you all at the Soap Awards next month.”
The announcement comes after a tumultuous few months for Schofield.
He has been the focus of numerous headlines related to reports of a falling out with his longtime This Morning co-host Willoughby, his brother’s sexual abuse trial and public outcry over his visit to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who lies in the state.
Speculation began a few weeks ago about an alleged falling out between Schofield and Willoughby, who reported that they “barely spoke” off-camera.
Despite the speculation, the duo performed as one during this week’s show and made no mention of the press reports.
The reports came after Schofield took a pre-planned holiday last month from the ITV program surrounding his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court.
Former plainclothes police officer Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sex offenses involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Last September, TV couple Schofield and Willoughby also faced backlash for claiming they skipped the line for the Queen’s funeral.
Who will replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning?
ITV released a statement on Saturday after it was revealed Schofield would be leaving this morning.
– This morning (@thismorning) May 20, 2023
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director for media and entertainment, added: “Phillip is undoubtedly one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for two decades of absolutely amazing TV shows on the This Morning sofa.”
“This Morning is produced by one of the finest and hardest working teams in television, producing over 12 hours of live television each week.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip, starting with the British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak time series.”
In the statement, the broadcaster also detailed who would replace Schofield on This Morning.
It said Willoughby will continue to host the show and that Schofield will be replaced as her co-host by “members of the This Morning family.”
Members of the This Morning family include Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, among others.
According to PA Media, there are a number of other candidates who could replace Schofield in the long term.
Rylan Clark, Gino D’Acampo, and Rochelle and Marvin Humes are four names the news outlet has suggested, all of whom have appeared on This Morning in various roles over the years.
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/23536795.holly-willoughby-take-break-morning/?ref=rss Holly Willoughby is taking a break this morning
