ITV insists Schofield’s exit was ‘agreed between Phil and bosses’

ITV has insisted that Philip Schofield’s departure from This Morning was ‘agreed’ between the star and the broadcaster’s bosses.

The channel’s statement follows speculation that the 61-year-old was suspended from the crisis-hit show amid a feud with co-presenter Holly Willoughby.

Eamonn Holmes this week attacked Schofield for claiming he would leave of his own accord after 20 years.

The GB News presenter instead said Phil was “fired” for suggesting Holly was duplicitous when she claimed to be sad about leaving. During the newspaper review, Holmes said, “Oh, please just stop this.” He was fired.

All that “I’ve decided to resign” nonsense. I’m sure you did – here’s your P45 resign now’.

GB News presenter Eamonn Holmes (pictured) lashed out at Philip Schofield, claiming ‘he was fired’

Philip Schofield’s (pictured) departure comes amid a feud between the star and co-presenter Holly Willoughby

He then imitated Holly and said, “And she says, ‘Oh, the sofa won’t be the same if it’s not there.’ Well, she wished he wasn’t there. So what is she whining about. I think they deserve each other.”

“Holly is as cheating as he is and no one is talking about the elephant in the room… Holly knows the truth, the story is with her,” the 63-year-old host added.

ITV has now insisted that Schofield chose to step down from the popular morning show after reaching a deal with broadcaster bosses.

A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.’

On Saturday, veteran announcer Schofield announced he was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk show with ‘immediate effect’ after more than 20 years on the programme.

Willoughby, who has co-hosted with Schofield since 2009, remains on the show, but she takes early vacation leave, while Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary continue to fill in.

They opened the show on Tuesday dancing to Wham! classic song Club Tropicana before interviewing Andrew Ridgeley, who was half of the pop duo with the late George Michael.

Hammond, 48, then admitted she dropped a homemade birthday cake for O’Leary, who, along with Schofield and Willoughby, were both longlisted for a National Television Award in the TV presenter category.

She said, “I made you a cake, and then unfortunately I dropped it, so you never actually saw the cake.” Sorry about that.

“Tomorrow’s Dermot’s birthday—you know, if you drop something and it falls into the box, it doesn’t look like a cake, it looks like mush.”

She later added, “I tried to get through the door, there was no one to help me, and I dropped the cake.”

O’Leary, 49, said: “I walked in and it looked like a big, mushy, tasty thing, I didn’t even know you made it and then I came to makeup and Alison said, ‘I’ve you made a cake’.

Who according to bookmakers could replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning

Holly and Phil have received support from inside and outside ITV in recent weeks

Holly and Phil have received support from inside and outside ITV in recent weeks

“You are so sweet that you made me a cake.

Schofield, 61, was reportedly given an ultimatum after Ms Willoughby, 42, told ITV bosses she no longer wanted to work with him.

He was told on Friday that his contract, which expires this summer, will not be renewed.

Schofield fled 300 miles to Cornwall to visit his mother, where he was pictured looking tired during tense phone calls while sitting in a car for two hours.

He will reportedly receive six months’ wages – more than £300,000 – to soften the blow of his departure.

Ms. Willoughby returns on June 5, after the break, and will host alongside members of the This Morning team.