Phillip Schofield’s shock resignation from This Morning, a show he worked on for two decades, has sparked a number of questions about the future of the ITV show.
The 61-year-old presenter’s decision to permanently leave the programme was followed by the news that his co-host would also step away, albeit temporarily.
Here is the latest on when Holly Willoughby will be back on the small screen.
When will Holly Willoughby return to This Morning?
This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby will be back on the show’s sofa next week.
Willoughby will return to her presenting duties on the daytime TV show on Monday 5 June following a two-week break.
She opted to take an “early half-term holiday” as revelations around the reasons behind Schofield’s shock resignation from the daytime TV programme emerged.
A source told The Sun: “She will return to This Morning as planned on Monday and carry on like the professional she is.
“Holly has been affected by Phil’s actions and it has been very difficult. She is devoted to This Morning, however, and will continue to do the best job she can for them.”
Why did Phillip Schofield leave This Morning?
Initial reports about Schofield’s decision to quit were dominated by rumours of a feud between him and Willoughby.
Schofield, who has presented This Morning alongside Willoughby since 2009, later admitted he had a relationship with a younger male ITV employee and lied to cover it up.
Schofield stepped down from ITV entirely on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague.
He has also been dropped as an ambassador of the Prince’s Trust, founded by King Charles III.
In a statement shared with the Daily Mail, Schofield said: “I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family.
Willoughby said she was “hurt” by the revelations, having previously asked Schofield about it.
In a statement published on Instagram the day after Schofield confirmed the affair, Willoughby said: “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.”
Who presented This Morning in Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield’s absence?
Following Schofield’s sudden departure and Willoughby’s extended absence, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary took over this This Morning hosting duties.
The duo, who regularly present the programme on Fridays, addressed Schofield’s resignation and the headlines about the show earlier this week.
On Monday, O’Leary appeared to reference the allegations of toxicity behind the scenes of the show, made by its former resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh, saying: “We all know we happen to be in the news at the moment and of course we appreciate that, but just from both of us, the whole team here, the crew, the guys downstairs, we love making this show for all of you.”
Hammond added: “We really do and that’s exactly what we are going to do, we are going to continue to do that.”
Previously, during a 30-second tribute to Schofield, they described him as “one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had”.
Who will replace Phillip Schofield?
ITV is yet to announce a permanent replacement for Schofield. Some commentators have called for Hammond to take a permanent leading role in the mid-morning programme.
Before Willoughby took time off from the show, the broadcaster had suggested Willoughby would be co-presenting in the days ahead with “members of the This Morning family”.
It is likely that until a new full-time co-host is found, Willoughby will present alongside various well-known figures from the show.
