Philip Schofield leaves British morning TV after a 'very difficult last ...

British presenter Phillip Schofield has agreed to leave his role on ITV's This Morning.

On Thursday, it was reported that Schofield refused to resign, despite a massive drop in ratings and his feud with co-host Holly Willoughby being publicly mocked in UK parliament.

However, on Saturday evening, UK time, Schofield posted a story to Instagram saying had had agreed to end his more than 20-year relationship with the show, “with immediate effect”. According to Phillip Schofield refuses to resign despite ratings fall amid feud with co-host Holly Willoughby

* 'It's not true to say Phil and Holly are not speaking': Inside the meltdown at This Morning

* Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby attempt united front amid feud rumours

"Throughout my TV career – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind,” Schofield said in the post.

READ MORE:
* Phillip Schofield refuses to resign despite ratings fall amid feud with co-host Holly Willoughby
* 'It's not true to say Phil and Holly are not speaking': Inside the meltdown at This Morning
* Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby attempt united front amid feud rumours

This Morning/ITV

Phillip Schofield thanked fans for their support when he returned to This Morning after his brother was arrested for possessing child pornography.

"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.”

Schofield thanked viewers who have supported him, and promised to see them at the UK Soap awards in June.

In a statement, to the BBC, ITV said Willoughby will remain as host of the breakfast TV show, with a rotating panel of co-hosts from the ITV presenting stable.

Also posting to Instagram, Willoughby said she had shared “over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil”.

ITV

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have co-hosted ITV’s This Morning for 13 years.

“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."

On Tuesday, the Daily Mail reported ITV bosses were “beside themselves” following a ratings drop of almost 20% for Monday’s episode, and that Schofield, 61, had refused to resign. The network was “desperate” to keep co-host Willoughby, 42.

“Phil doesn't see why he should go. It's his job, he has steered the show for more than 20 years,” an insider said.

Despite rumours of a fall-out between the presenters they presented a united front on air, but it wasn't enough to convince viewers.

sky news

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield appearing to jump the queue to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Tensions on the show are said to have begun in September 2022, when calls for both Willoughby and Schofield to be brought off-air sounded after footage emerged of the pair appearing to jump the queue to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

In April, Schofield’s brother Timothy was convicted on 11 charges of sexual abuse against a teenage boy, leading Schofield to publicly disown his brother take time away from This Morning.

Willoughby was apparently not told of Schofield’s reason for stepping away from the show and insiders say she was hurt by that.

She was reportedly left “blind sided” by Schofield addressing their rumoured friction, saying he and his 42-year-old co-host were “the best of friends”.

Schofield began his television presenting career in New Zealand, when the host moved with his family from the UK to New Zealand at the age of 19.

He fronted popular music programme Shazam! from 1982 to 1985, and spent two years working for Auckland’s Radio Hauraki.