This Morning bloodbath as ITV bosses plot clear out in feud fallout – and it’s not just Phillip Schofield in firing line
PHILLIP Schofield faces the axe from This Morning — amid a “seismic” summer shake-up.
Insiders say many believe the time is finally up for Phil, who has hosted the ITV juggernaut since 2002.
This Morning’s boss Martin Frizell could also be in line for the chop, according to staff – as ITV top brass attempt a major overhaul of the embattled series.
However those working on the daytime show say they understand popular co-presenter Holly Willoughby’s job will be safe.
A source said: “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.”
It comes after The Sun revealed that Phil and Holly — who sparked controversy by jumping the queue to see the Queen lying in state last September — are barely speaking off camera.
This Morning insiders revealed how Frizell, who has been in charge since 2016, could be close behind Phil to the door.
The source added: “There is talk behind the scenes of Martin also being knifed as a bit of a fall guy, too – which might save some of the even more senior executives at the broadcaster if things spiral further.
“He has steered the ship for a long time but his handling of Queue-gate and now Holly and Phil’s row has been viewed by some as calamitous, and many junior members of staff have struggled with his old-school way of working.
“The shake-up is going to be from the top down and no one, no matter their status, is bigger than the show.”
Since Holly and Phil’s rift was revealed by The Sun last week, fans of the daytime show have flooded social media with calls for a change.
Their mood has not gone unnoticed by ITV, who were yesterday faced with a near-200,000 drop in This Morning viewers compared to the same day last week.
The source continued: “This isn’t the first time Holly and Phil’s working relationship has hit a rocky patch but this time it is undeniably more serious.
“The fact they are not talking when the cameras stop rolling is a sure-fire sign their partnership is over for good.
“Seeing the reaction of This Morning viewers has been a wake-up call.
“While Holly is still incredibly popular, Phil is far less so.”
Last night Holly, 42, was all smiles as she attended the Prince’s Trust Awards in London.
She was joined at the Theatre Royal bash by stars including Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway.
Meanwhile Phil, 61, revealed on social media that he was discussing sustainable booze at the London Wine Fair in Olympia.
It comes as the show has been attempting to “keep calm and carry on” this week in the wake of Holly and Phil’s fallout.
The two presenters assured bosses they would remain professional on air and the pair have kept their word.
However viewers say the tension between them is painfully obvious despite their best on-screen efforts to conceal it.
One joked online: “Coming up tomorrow we talk about the best kind of brush to use when you need to brush something under the rug.”
Another shared a photograph of the Titanic sinking with the caption: “This Morning right now.”
After details of their rift was made public, The Sun revealed how Phil called in a lawyer to help him.
Insiders said at the time how tensions between him and Holly had been rumbling for some time and were worsened by Phil’s brother Timothy’s sex abuse trial.
The former police IT worker was found guilty last month of 11 sexual offences, including two against a child.
He is due to be sentenced on Friday at Bristol crown court.
In the wake of the case, Phil said it had “not been easy”.
Those close to him said he had hired a lawyer to take back control.
A source added: “Phil has done absolutely nothing wrong and doesn’t have a PR team guiding him.
“He and ITV felt he needed someone, officially, in his corner to ward off stuff that isn’t true.”
However people working across This Morning said many feel the tide has turned for good on his partnership with Holly.
She joined Phil on the sofa in 2009 after they were first paired together three years previously on Dancing On Ice.
Together they have won 12 National Television Awards and were so close their families went on holiday together nearly every year.
The source added: “The fact it has become so bad shows there is a need to shake up This Morning and give it a fresh feel.”
Last week The Sun revealed how Dermot O’Leary was a firm favourite to work more alongside Holly, as well as Alison Hammond.
Dermot and Alison currently co-present the Friday episode of This Morning and the pair have become firm favourites with viewers.
Meanwhile, Holly and Phil are scheduled to return to This Morning today for interviews with Tim Downie and Michael Fenton Stevens from Netflix comedy Hapless.
They are also set to be joined by actress Suranne Jones.