This Morning guests speak out after Phillip Schofield axed from show
THIS Morning guests have spoken out on social media in the wake of Phillip Schofield being axed from the ITV programme.
The daytime show, which frequently includes a number of familiar celebrity faces as guests to the sofa, saw a major shake-up yesterday when the presenter took to social media to step down.
Yesterday, Phillip, 61, was in an office with show chief Martin Frizzell and told his contract, due to end this summer, was not being renewed.
Devastated Phil then drove 300 miles from London to Cornwall to see mum Pat, 85, where he spent Friday pouring his heart out to her on a coastal walk.
He then confirmed his exit in a post to his social media, where he penned to his fans that he had “stepped down”.
And while his co-star Holly Willoughby was the first to react, penning a social media statement, other This Morning stars soon followed.
Taking to Twitter, journalist Peter Lloyd was first to open up about his experience going on the show in 2015.
He penned alongside a snap of himself on the This Morning sofa: “I appeared on This Morning with Phillip Schofield in 2015.
“He was vile, both on and off-screen. ITV should never have protected him for so long. Good riddance.”
Dancer Gary Edwards shared a behind-the-scenes snap of himself smiling with Holly, 42, and Phil, and penned: “Well the right one left.”
“And rightly so. I found Holly amazing and Phillip a bit… nah!”
While lifestyle coach Jason Vale added: “Such a shame, he was always so lovely to me whenever I went on the show… NOT!”
TV presenter Matthew Wright then stepped in to defend him, saying: “Gutted for @Schofe – there for me when I was having problems a few years back.”
It comes after Phillip was spotted looking stony-faced as he was seen for the first time since he left his role on This Morning.
Tensions between Phillip and Holly led to the star to stepping down from his high-profile role on the ITV daytime show.
The presenting pair saw their once-close relationship crumble in recent weeks.
The Sun revealed earlier this week that Phillip faced the axe from This Morning amid a “seismic” summer shake-up.
Yesterday, Phillip took to his social media to confirm that he will be stepping down from the role after a “difficult” few days.
Phillip wrote: “I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning, but recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
“Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
“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.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
“I’d like to thank everyone what has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”
In the wake of the news, Holly took to her social media to gush over her now former co-star, thanking him for his “knowledge and humour”.
She penned: “It’s been a great 13 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.”
Holly added: “The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”
It comes after The Sun revealed that the rift forming between the pair – that has become apparent in recent weeks – began YEARS ago.