I’m a TV PR expert and This Morning’s Phillip Schofield faces being replaced by all-female duo
THIS Morning host Phillip Schofield could be replaced by an all-female duo as his feud with Holly Willoughby rumbles on.
Recently, The Sun exclusively reported how a former X Factor star was waiting in the wings to take Phil’s spot.
Phil, 61, and Holly‘s on-screen partnership has spanned 14 years yet they now barely speak off camera as their friendship hangs by a thread.
It appears that their relationship has been strained for some time behind the scenes.
The Sun reported that their relationship fell apart when Phillip failed to tell Holly about his brother’s child sex offences.
His contract is up for renewal in December and while Phil is determined to fight on, there are some behind the scenes at ITV who are ready for a shake-up.
PR Expert Nick Ede has teased the potential injection of girl power onto the This Morning sofa.
He told Closer Magazine: “There’s an outside chance that there could even be a permanent female duo – Josie Gibson and Alison Hammond have proved incredibly popular and the combo of Alison and Holly recently proved very successful.”
He also told the publication: “If Phil were to leave, they have a bank of fantastic presenters to step in.
“Viewers love the likes of Joe Dommett, Craig Doyle and Marvin Humes who could match up with Holly.
“The last few months have shown you you don’t need the same presenters day after day.”
Previously, The Sun exclusively reported how This Morning’s Friday host Dermot O’Leary is tipped as the front-runner.
Dermot stepped in for Phil when he took three weeks off earlier this year as his brother Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of child sex offences. He is due to be sentenced on Friday at Bristol Crown Court.
Insiders at This Morning said his popularity, coupled with his close friendship with Holly, made him an obvious candidate to replace Phil.
A show source told The Sun: “Dermot has become a hugely popular figure on This Morning and he would be the ideal replacement if Phil stepped away.
“Phil’s contract is up for renewal at the end of this year and as it stands, there are a number of people working on the show who think it’s time for a shake-up.
“It is still a long way off and anything could happen but there is no hiding Dermot’s popularity – or his close relationship with Holly.
“Dermot is paired with Alison Hammond now on Fridays but when he stepped in to replace Phil during his recent absence, viewers loved his partnership with Holly.
“He is a good friend to Holly so naturally she would be thrilled if they were able to work together more often.”
Dermot joined This Morning in 2021 and now presents the show every Friday with Alison.
The bookies have put him in the lead as favourite to take over from Phil should he choose to step back after 21 years on the show.