Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary pay tribute to Phillip Schofield on This Morning

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have paid tribute to Phillip Schofield on This Morning right this moment, the primary present since his departure after greater than 20 years.

Opening the programme on Monday, Hammond mentioned they might not begin with out mentioning the veteran presenter.

O’Leary added: “Everyone on and off screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years.”

Hammond continued: “Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had, and we and all the team wish him all the best for the future.”

Schofield, who joined the present in 2002, mentioned on Saturday that he was stepping again as a result of the programme had “become the story” and “I want to do what I can to protect the show I love”.

It got here following reviews that his relationship with long-term co-presenter Holly Willoughby, who will stay on the present however is at present taking early half-term go away, had come underneath pressure.

Hammond, 48, and O’Leary, 49, already host the present each Friday and are frontrunners to exchange Schofield – with ITV but to announce who will completely get the function.

Other contenders embrace The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes and her husband, JLS star Marvin Humes, in addition to acquainted This Morning regulars akin to Rylan Clark, Josie Gibson and Gino D’Acampo.

Schofield, 61, introduced his exit on the weekend after presenting what turned out to be his closing present on Thursday.

“I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning,” he mentioned in his assertion. “But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.

“Throughout my profession in TV – together with the very troublesome final days – I’ve all the time completed my greatest to be honourable and sort.

“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.”

Read extra:
Phillip Schofield leaves This Morning after greater than 20 years
Brother of TV presenter Phillip Schofield jailed for 12 years
Phillip Schofield steps down from This Morning: His assertion in full

Shortly afterwards, Willoughby shared her personal assertion, saying: “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.

“This couch will not really feel the identical with out him.”

Previously, the pair have been open about their close friendship over the years, including sharing pictures on social media of joint holidays with their families.

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, has said that ITV will continue its relationship with Schofield, despite his This Morning departure, “beginning with The British Soap Awards in June and a model new peak time collection to come back”.

Schofield has faced a difficult few months, including his brother’s sex abuse trial, and criticism over his visit to the late Queen’s lying in state, as well as his reported rift with Willoughby.

Former civilian police worker Timothy Schofield, 54, was jailed for 12 years on Friday after being convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a baby between October 2016 and October 2019, together with two of sexual exercise with a baby.