UK TV host Phillip Schofield ‘completely broken’ by axing

British TV host Phillip Schofield is said to be “completely broken” after he was controversially let go from the breakfast show after 20 years on-air.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are no longer co-hosts following the latter’s axing. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

British TV host Phillip Schofield says he is “completely broken” by his axing from This Morning.

The 61-year-old veteran presenter will get six months’ wages to soften the blow after ITV decided his feud with co-host Holly Willoughby was losing too many viewers.

A source said: “Phil feels he has been shown zero respect and he is devastated by how this has played out.

“He thinks the way he was forced to step down was so unjust and he feels completely broken by how this situation has been handled.

“This Morning was Phil’s life and now he feels he has been knifed without proper consultation.”

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

The source added: “It was only after they’d had these discussions that Phil said he would agree to leave.

“Phil has dedicated over 20 years to that show and for it all to end this way has been incredibly upsetting for him.”

The Sun revealed Schofield was told he had lost his job on This Morning just minutes after coming off air on Thursday.

Top brass at ITV decided the situation between him and co-host Holly Willoughby, 42, had become unworkable, with the obvious tension between the pair costing the show almost 200,000 viewers.

Willoughby, who has worked on This Morning with Schofield for 13 years, will stay on as the main presenter and is returning to the show on June 5 after a two-week break.

ITV has confirmed that Monday’s episode will be hosted by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.

After learning his fate on Thursday, Schofield fled to Cornwall to be with mum Pat, 85.

As our pictures show, he looked tense on a drive out with her on Saturday afternoon – shortly after news of his departure was announced.

Onlookers said Schofield spent up to two hours gazing out to sea while vaping and chatting to his mum.

After the news of his departure was made public by ITV, Schofield issued an emotional statement.

However, his failed to mention Willoughby, confirming The Sun’s original story about the breakdown of their on-screen partnership, which has run for 17 years, including a stint on Dancing on Ice.

Willoughby and Schofield’s friendship is over.

Their fallout reportedly dates back three years to when Willoughby split from the YMU agency.

She later won a $1.8 million payout from the business, of which Schofield is still a shareholder.

Her career blossomed while his started to falter.

Nonetheless, he was thought to earn about $1.3 million a year for This Morning, making his golden goodbye likely to be more than $561,000.

Schofield will also continue to work for ITV, live-presenting the British Soap Awards on June 3, plus hosting a new peak-time series.

He wrote on Saturday: “I’ve 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 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, who started on This Morning in 2009, posted on her Instagram: “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.”

Willoughby is now taking a break from This Morning and before returning to the program on June 5.

ITV boss Kevin Lygo paid tribute to Schofield when news of his departure was revealed.

He said: “Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades of terrific television on the This Morning sofa.

“This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce over 12 hours of live television each week.”

Despite the glowing send-off, those close to Phil said he is struggling to come to terms with the situation.

A source added: “Phil is feeling incredibly upset and is taking some time out to weigh up his options.

“He has privately been sent a number of messages of support from friends in the industry.

“It means a great deal to him that people are taking the time to reach out.”

Phillip Schofield has lost his job. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

The stress of his brother’s child sex abuse case had recently put more pressure on Schofield and Willoughby’s working relationship.

Timothy Schofield was jailed for 12 years on Friday after being found guilty of a string of offences, the most serious involving an alleged sex act with a boy.

The Sun understands Willoughby will be lying low and spending time with her family during her fortnight off. ITV is expected to make a decision on Schofield’s permanent replacement in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, Willoughby will be joined by members of the show’s presenting roster – Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond, plus Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle and Joel Dommett.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission