This Morning makes decision on Phillip Schofield replacement as Holly Willoughby takes break from show

Phillip Schofield

Phillip Schofield left ITV and This Morning back in May

BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 24/07/2023

- 12:56

Updated: 24/07/2023

- 12:57

Phillip Schofield quit ITV back in May after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague

Since Phillip Schofield departed This Morning and ITV as a whole, Holly Willoughby has returned to the ITV show's sofa to present with a roster of familiar faces.

The likes of Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle, Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond have all stepped in to the fill the void left by Schofield.



Rumours have been rife ever since as to who will take on the Monday to Thursday slot alongside Willoughby and now, This Morning bosses have made a decision.

It's been reported that Willoughby will be front and centre of the show alongside a rotation of other hosts, meaning ITV will not employ a direct replacement for Schofield.

Instead, the aforementioned hosts will likely present besides Willoughby sporadically rather than having one person commit to four days a week, week after week.

Willoughby, who's currently enjoying an extended break from the show to coincide with the school holidays, hasn't publicly reacted to the reports.

Holly Willoughby

Holly Willoughby addressed Schofield's exit on her This Morning return

ITV

GB News has contacted ITV for comment on This Morning's new-look presenting line-up.

The Daily Mail first reported This Morning's decision as it said an ITV source revealed: "The idea of finding the next Phil to sit next to Holly has been disregarded by This Morning's bosses.

"It will be Holly along with whichever rotating presenter is selected to join her. It will essentially be Holly's show.

"Bosses hope that they can put all of the Schofield scandal behind them and start concentrating on the content of the show rather than the twosome presenting it.

"At least this way there won't be any falling out. Holly is so excited about the plan, she loves Josie, Craig, Alison and Dermot. It's a happy ship and she made the decision not to quit but instead to return and keep things going while being at the helm.

"Holly is absolutely determined to head up the challenge to make the show a success again."

The model for This Morning's plan to rotate presenters alongside Willoughby is identical to ITV's approach to flagship breakfast show, Good Morning Britain.

After Piers Morgan's exit two years ago, regular presenter Susanna Reid has found herself hosting alongside a long list of names including Ed Balls, Adil Ray, Ben Shephard, Richard Madeley and many more.

With Willoughby now the sole feature of the This Morning sofa, the Daily Mail reports she's set to put pen to paper on a new contract.

Alison Hammond cries

Phillip Schofield's exit led to teary reactions from his This Morning colleagues on-air

ITV

It's reported the negotiations are set to lead to a more lucrative deal for Willoughby than her already £700,000 pay packet.

While Willoughby enjoys her time off at the moment, the likes of O'Leary and Hammond have taken the reins of the show's Monday to Friday slot.

Schofield claimed he kept his "unwise but not illegal" affair a secret from Willoughby and ITV bosses prior to his departure.

Willoughby addressed the revelations from her former co-host back in May in an Instagram statement which read: "It's taken time to process yesterday's news.

"When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.

"It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie."

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