Holly Willoughby responds to Phillip Schofield leaving This Morning

'The sofa won't feel the same without him'

Schofield, who has been on the ITV show for more than 20 years, said he is leaving with "immediate effect" as he wants to "protect the show I love".

Shortly after the news broke Saturday, Willoughby, 42, released a statement on Instagram saying: "It's been over 13 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 42-year-old continued: "The sofa won't feel the same without him."

Schofield's deteriorating relationship with Willoughby has dominated headlines in recent weeks.

The 61-year-old, who joined the morning show in 2002, presented his last show on Thursday.

He had only recently returned to This Morning after taking pre-planned leave when his younger brother, Timothy, stood trial for sexually abusing a boy last month.

Timothy was jailed for 12 years on Friday.

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