Phillip Schofield tells Piers Morgan he's 'utterly heartbroken' over This Morning axe

ok.co.uk:

Controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan has claimed Phillip Schofield is "utterly heartbroken" after not being given the opportunity to say a "proper goodbye" to the audience on This Morning after his "immediate" exit.

This Morning veteran Phil, 61, confirmed he was leaving the show after 21 years of presenting duties, as reports of a "feud" with his co-host Holly Willoughby, 42, raged on.

It was confirmed Holly will remain on the show, but is taking early half-term holiday leave. Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle stepped in to present This Morning on Wednesday, after she and Dermot O'Leary filled in for the first two days since Phillip's departure last Thursday.

Writing in his column for The Sun newspaper, former ITV broadcaster Piers said: "I don't know the full story behind Phillip Schofield's downfall, but where I feel personal empathy with him is over the manner of his sacking. "For ITV to not even give him the chance to say a proper goodbye to his large, loyal audience after 21 years struck me as needlessly churlish, and I know he's utterly heartbroken about it, because he told me himself." PA reports that an ITV spokesperson said on Wednesday: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.” Piers stirred speculation over who will be replacing Phillip on the show, suggesting it could be the "halo-clad household name" who had applied for his job after he famously stormed off Good Morning Britain in 2021 and then subsequently left the show.