ITV issues new statement on Phillip Schofield after Eamonn Holmes’ claims

ITV has issued a fresh statement on Phillip Schofield’s exit from This Morning after Eamonn Holmes’ comments on GB News.

The statement comes after former star Eamonn Holmes reportedly claimed the presenter ‘was sacked’. Chatting on Monday on his GB News show, Eamonn said: “Oh please, let’s just stop this. He was sacked.”

Holmes said Holly was ‘false’ and a ‘backstabber’. He went on: “She made her name on the back of him. Excuse me.

“If she has her own professional integrity, why isn’t she coming out in public and saying I have my own professional integrity, he’s done something that will reflect badly on me but she again is being as false as he is and nobody is talking about the elephant in the room.”

In a short statement to Huffington Post, ITV stepped in to dismiss Eamonn’s claims. It read: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”

Schofield quit This Morning last weekend after more than 20 years following a reported feud with co-star Holly Willoughby.

The presenter ‘stepped back’ with ‘immediate effect’ and in a statement said the programme had ‘become the story’ and that he wanted to ‘do what I can to protect the show that I love’.

The move came after rumours were rife that he and Holly Willoughby were ‘barely speaking’ behind the scenes amid a ‘rift’ between the pair.

Issuing a statement on Saturday, following weeks of speculation that he and Holly weren’t getting along, Phillip wrote on his Instagram: “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 ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on and I want to do what I can to protect the show 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.”

Holly, 42 also, issued a statement in response, sharing to her Instagram, she wrote: “Hi everyone…

“It’s been over 13 great 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.

“The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”