Holly Willoughby: 'Sofa won't feel the same without Phillip Schofield'

Holly Willoughby breaks her silence after Phillip Schofield quits This Morning (and after he made NO mention of her in his statement)

Holly Willoughby said ‘the sofa won’t feel the same without’ Phillip Schofield as he sensationally quit This Morning today – but the departing presenter made no mention of his co-star and friend in his exit statement.

Schofield penned a 122-word post to fans announcing he was leaving ITV’s flagship weekday morning show today, while Willoughby and the broadcaster’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo, also made statements.

In it, he acknowledged that This Morning has ‘become the story’ following 10 days of intense media scrutiny amid reports of a fall-out between the show’s two presenters.

He said that he ‘understood that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on’, and that he wanted to do what he could to ‘protect the show that I love’.

However, he made no mention of Willoughby, with whom he has been the face of daytime TV for 13 years, as his co-star – who will remain on the show – insisted ‘the sofa won’t feel the same without him’.

Holly Willoughby said ‘the sofa won’t feel the same without’ Phillip Schofield (pictured on their last show together on Thursday) as he sensationally quit This Morning today – but the departing presenter made no mention of his co-star and friend in his exit statement 

Phillip Schofield’s statement in full after he sensationally quit ITV’s This Morning

Holly Willoughby statement in full after her co-star sensationally quit ITV’s This Morning

Phillip Schofield’s statement in full

‘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. 

‘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 Willoughby’s statement in full

‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’

Kevin Lygo’s statement in full 

‘Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa.

‘This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce 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 to come.’

Schofield (pictured with his co-host on their last show on Thursday) penned a 122-word post to fans announcing he was leaving ITV ‘s flagship weekday morning show today

In it, he acknowledged that This Morning has ‘become the story’ following 10 days of intense media scrutiny amid reports of a fall-out between the show’s two presenters

He said that he ‘understood that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on’, and that he wanted to do what he could to ‘protect the show that I love’

However, he made no mention of Willoughby, with whom he has been the face of daytime TV for 13 years, as his co-star – who will remain on the show – insisted ‘the sofa won’t feel the same without him’

ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo, also made a statement

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