This Morning bosses plot seismic shake-up with Phillip Schofield amid Holly fallout

2023-05-17

A "seismic" shake-up at This Morning could see Phillip Schofield replaced on the show – and he's not the only one at risk.

The potential change in presenters comes amid reports that Phillip and co-presenter Holly Willoughby are "barely talking" off-camera after the pair had a falling out.

ITV bosses are said to have held "crisis talks" after social media ran abuzz with talk of the ongoing feud, especially after the pair reunited to host the show on Monday.

And it's now been reported that a shake-up at the broadcaster could see Phil replaced after over two decades on the show.

The Sun reports that Phil and This Morning editor and producer Martin Frizell could be facing the chop.

An insider told the outlet: "This Morning is preparing for some seismic changes this summer — and Phil is lined up as the first major name for the chop when his contract expires this summer. It’s highly unlikely he’ll be back in September.

"Plans are being drawn up for a new look This Morning and, at the moment, Phil is not featuring in them. He has worked on the show for over two decades. Many feel it is time for some fresh blood."

They added that there is talk of Martin "being knifed as a bit of a fall guy, too" as others at the network have been left unhappy with his handling of both Phil and Holly's row, and the controversy surrounding the pair allegedly skipping the queue at the late Queen's lying-in-state last year. They denied the claim, adding that they had been invited into the hall as accredited press.

OK! has contacted representatives for Phillip Schofield and ITV.

It's thought that if Phil is indeed replaced from the show then his last appearance could be just weeks away, with him likely to depart ahead of the summer break.

The TV presenter publicly addressed rumours of a falling out, releasing a statement to The Sun, which read: "The last few weeks haven't been easy for either of us.

"As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We're the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I've been there for her."

Holly is said to have been left blindsided by Phillip's statement, with a source close to her claiming that the first she heard of it was when it was published online.

And The Mirror has reported that bosses at ITV were left fuming after Phil went public on the rift.

A source said: "This Morning's relationship with its viewers is built on trust, and they have to believe that Holly and Phil's friendship, and what they're watching, is real."

Adding that the "noise and speculation" over their friendship "could have easily been ignored", they continued: "But by putting this statement out there, he has turned what was a manageable situation into a feeding frenzy.

"If viewers now no longer believe in the pair, and make their views clear next week, make no mistake, ITV will act."

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