British TV host Phillip Schofield’s stunning news amid ‘feud’ with co-star Holly Willoughby

One of Britain’s most well-known presenters has issued a bombshell statement amid reports of a worsening rift with his longtime co-host.

British TV host has exited his longtime role with breakfast program, This Morning.

High-profile British breakfast TV host Phillip Schofield has been sensationally axed from his job after 21 years in the role.

Schofield, 61, is a well-known UK figure as host of ITV’s This Morning program alongside Holly Willoughby, who joined the show in 2009.

His exit was confirmed on Friday, after weeks of intense speculation about his future and a reported feud with his co-host, with an insider telling The Sun the issue was even putting off guests from agreeing to appear.

The pair were once considered one of the tightest duos on British TV, but have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons amid their worsening rift in recent weeks.

On Friday, Schofield finally agreed to the network’s ultimatum that he quit the show after more than two decades, with the Daily Mail reporting that Willoughby had demanded TV bosses choose between them.

According to the publication, the “quietly shrewd” presenter insisted that she could no longer share the sofa with him.

“It was basically an ultimatum, Holly won the war. We say what Holly wants, Holly gets and never was a truer word spoken,” a source told the Daily Mail.

The once-close co-hosts’ relationship had soured recently.

Meanwhile, The Sun claims that Schofield was given the news just minutes after coming off air on Thursday, which brutally denied him the chance to issue a farewell to his longtime viewers.

The co-hosts’ formerly-close relationship reportedly first began feeling the strain as they faced intense backlash after being accused of jumping the lengthy queue to pay their respects to the Queen during her lying-in-state last September.

It’s also been a tumultuous few weeks in both of their personal lives, with each separately needing to take breaks from the program this year.

Schofield had recently tried to hose down rumours of a feud in a lengthy statement to The Sun, although many believed it did nothing but highlight the issues between the pair.

“As I have said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone. Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I’ve been there for her,” he told the publication.

“The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. My family went through a real ordeal, and Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me – as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers. Whatever happens, we still have each other to count on.”

Schofield stunned fans with news he was leaving the show.

Schofield’s brother was jailed for 12 years on Friday after being convicted of sexually abusing a vulnerable teenage boy.

Meanwhile, Schofield made no mention of Willoughby in the statement announcing his shock departure from This Morning.

“I’ve always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story,” he wrote.

“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 the show can move forward to a bright future.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me — especially This Morning’s amazing viewers — and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”

Willoughby issued a brief statement herself following the announcement.

“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,” she said.

The Sun also reports that the pair had a private chat in the wake of the stunning decision.

“It’s been a very difficult time for them but they talked about the end of an era and called something of a truce,” a source claimed.