Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby ‘drama’: Everything we know about the former ITV duo

After weeks of controversy surrounding Phillip Schofield, the TV presenter has dramatically parted ways with ITV and been dumped by his agents.

Shortly after it was announced that Schofield was leaving This Morning “effective immediately”, he released a statement revealing he had “lied” to his staff about an affair with a colleague.

Schofield, who said the matter had “nothing to do with him”. This morning Departure, co-hosted the daytime series for 21 years.

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This was reported prior to his departure be The relationship with co-host Holly Willoughby was strained and they “hardly spoke” off-camera.

Schofield acknowledged that “the last few weeks have not been easy,” but initially wanted to counter the claims, stating, “We’re best friends – as always, she’s been 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 was there for her.”

Their first show together after the rumors broke aired on Monday (May 15).

Below is a timeline of Schofield and Willoughby’s working relationship and the ups and downs they both went through along the way. The Independent has reached out to Willoughby for comment.

2006 – Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby begin their working relationship after signing up for the ITV competition dancing on ice.

2009 – Schofield clashes with his then This morning Co-host Fern Britton. As claimed in Schofield’s 2020 memoir Life is what you make of itBritton accused him of “interfering” with the content of the daytime show, forcing him to “calmly” tell her, “Please don’t do that to me again.”

2009 – Fern Britton resigns This morning. In her statement, she addresses the show’s crew generally, without naming Schofield, who claimed in his book that their previous argument “was the point where she decided she didn’t want to be on the show anymore.” . It is claimed that she was making £250,000 less a year than Schofield.

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2009 – Willoughby joins This morningreplaces Britton.

2011 – Willoughby resigns dancing on ice, Schofield will become a co-host alongside Christine Lampard.

2013 – Schofield tells heat that he and Britton are “not really” in touch anymore. Britton also agrees about their working relationship MailOnline: “Like Morecambe and Wise, we have chosen not to live in each other’s pockets. We were a great partnership professionally, but we never went on vacation together.”

August 2017 – It has been announced that Willoughby will return dancing on ice after reportedly receiving a £200,000 raise that matched Schofield’s salary. It is also reported that Willoughby has received a raise This morning Bosses are said to be adjusting Schofield’s annual salary from around £600,000 to £700,000. By then, Willoughby is said to have previously received £200,000 less than Schofield.

January 2018 – Willoughby’s return to dancing on ice is broadcast on ITV.

Aug 2018 – Willoughby is said to be Anthony McPartlin’s replacement I’m a celebrity… Get me out of here! alongside Declan Donnelly after the former announced a year-long hiatus from presenting.

October 2018 – Rumors of a rivalry between Schofield and Britton surface during This morningIn the show’s 30th anniversary episode, the latter claims she was not invited to the show’s Bafta ceremony. “Congratulations on the Bafta,” she says, adding, “It was absolutely wonderful and brilliant. I would have loved to have attended, but I didn’t get an invitation.” Schofield points out that she was in Scotland at the time of the event on stage, but Britton replies, “I wasn’t there on Monday night – I would have come, but I wasn’t invited.” This prompts Schofield to tweet that Britton has “memory loss” and would have loved to have been there.

April 2019 – Schofield seemingly frustrates Ruth Langsford, who in “ This morning to preview the following episode of Permissive women she presented. As she introduces the episode’s themes, Schofield interrupts, “Guys, we’re going to have to jump in and hold you guys up, I’m afraid, because we’re running out of time at the end. Thank you, Ruth.” Langsford seems unimpressed and replies, “Well, I only had about two more words to say.”

June 2019 – Schofield is responding to reports that he stopped Amanda Holden from securing several high-profile presenter roles. One report claims Schofield branded it Britain’s Got Talent The judge said the judge was “difficult to deal with” and that he “actively lobbied” for Rochelle Humes to get the gig as his assistant co-host, despite Holden being told the job was hers. It is also alleged that Holden was told she would replace McPartlin i am a celebrityonly to allegedly have their booking blocked by Schofield.

December 2019 – First claims of a rift between Schofield and Willoughby are reported. The pair are said to be engaged in a “toxic” argument, and it’s reported that Schofield was jealous of his co-host’s relationships i am a celebrity stint During a press launch for a new series Dancing on IceWilloughby tells reporters: “You couldn’t watch TV together for as many hours as we do without getting along.” It is also alleged that Ruth Langsford has lodged a complaint about Schofield with ITV bosses.

February 2020 – Schofield came out as gay before an episode of This morningWilloughby then wrote on Instagram, who shared a photo of herself next to Schofield, “I’ve never been more proud of my girlfriend than I am today.” During the episode, the two discuss Schofield’s decision to come out, with Willoughby telling him, “Me know that this is something you have been living with for a long time, this inner conflict.”

November 2021 – Willoughby refutes claims that she ever had a fight with Schofield Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcastwhich said: “I watched from a distance as everyone in the press said that you and Phillip are going through a ‘hard time’ and that you are now good friends and there have been no arguments.” She describes the reports of 2018 as “a particularly difficult time,” adding, “But I think, and I remember having that conversation with Phil at the time, it was like, ‘But we know.'” I have to believe that everything is fine must be as long as one knows the truth.”

February 2022 – Eamonn Holmes slams Schofield after he and his wife Langsford were replaced on Friday’s episode of This morning by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary. He says Schofield is “passive-aggressive” and accuses him of “snubbing people.” Of the rumored falling out with Langsford, Holmes later said, “It’s up to Ruth to say how she felt, but I felt hurt.”

Sep 2022 – Schofield and Willoughby are criticized for seemingly queuing the audience while filming a segment This morning ITV defends the couple, who address the controversy in an episode next week.

April 2023 – Schofield will not air for several weeks after his brother Timothy was convicted of 11 sex offenses involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two for sexual activity with a child. Schofield, who has publicly disowned his sibling, thanks viewers for their “kind messages and support” upon his return.

May 11, 2023 – Schofield is responding to another allegation of a dispute with Willoughby. The presenter says that “the last few weeks have not been easy for any of us” but he sees Willoughby as his “rock”. He adds, “We’re best friends – as always, she’s 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 was there for her.”

May 14, 2023 – ITV confirm Willoughby and Schofield will present the next episode of This morningaired on Monday, May 15, as usual, despite allegations of feuding.

May 20, 2023 – In a statement, Schofield confirms that he has left This morning effective immediately, writing: “I understand ITV has decided that the current situation cannot continue and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.” You can read the full statement here read.

May 26, 2023 – Phillip Schofield is stepping down from ITV after admitting he lied about an affair with a colleague This morning. In a statement on Daily mailSchofield said, “I was in a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This morning. In order to protect my ex-colleague, I did not openly express the relationship. I am painfully aware that I have lied to my employers at ITV, my colleagues and friends, my agents, the media and by extension the public and most importantly my family. I am very, very sorry that I was unfaithful to my wife.” He too is dropped by his agents after 35 years.