This Morning bosses set on giving show 'fresh start' after Phillip Schofield axe

28 May 2023 , 22:56

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Phillip Schofield admitted to lying to bosses about his affair (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

ITV bosses are reportedly planning an overhaul of This Morning, in a bid to give it a fresh start following Phillip Schofield's departure.

It comes as the show’s producers are said to be clinging on to their jobs, as the daytime entertainment programme’s reputation has been tarnished following the recent scandal involving the presenter.

Phillip Schofield, 61, admitted he had lied to his colleagues and management at ITV about a relationship he had with a ‘much younger’ runner on the show.

However, the broadcaster confirmed they had previously received reports from several members of staff about a relationship between the presenter and a production assistant working on the show.

The presenter stepped down from the role on May 20 (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The show's bosses are clinging to their jobs following Phillip's bombshell admission (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

A source told The Mirror: “The next few weeks will be a desperate bid to save the show – and the jobs of the execs. Fingers are being pointed at the top brass, even though he admitted he lied to all of them.

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“The show’s wholesome image is clearly tarnished, but bullish ITV execs are not going to just throw the baby out with the bath water.

“They are determined to prove that the brand is stronger than any single presenter, and that they can give it a fresh start after Schofield.”

And an ITV source said: “This Morning has won so many awards, the last thing ITV want is to lose it. They retain faith in editor Martin Frizell and want to move on and look to the future now.”

Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have been at the helm ever since Phillip stepped down from the role earlier this month.

Phil left with immediate effect on Saturday May 20, with the show announcing that Phillip’s co-host, Holly Willoughby, would be taking an early half-term break.

Alison and Dermot started presenting the show on Monday May 22, with ITV confirming Holly would be returning on June 5.

Although nothing has been confirmed, it seems that Alison and Dermot will be interim presenters until Holly Willoughby returns, no doubt with ITV bosses looking for a suitable replacement for Phillip Schofield.

Sophie Goodall