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Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary have paid tribute to Phillip Schofield on This Morning today, the first show since his departure after more than 20 years.

Opening the programme on Monday, Hammond said they could not start without mentioning the veteran presenter, who announced his exit at the weekend.

O’Leary added: “Everyone on and off screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years.”

Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on This Morning. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
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Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Hammond continued: “Quite simply, we all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had, and we and all the team wish him all the best for the future.”

Schofield, who joined the show in 2002, said on Saturday that he was stepping back because the programme had “become the story” and “I want to do what I can to protect the show I love”.

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Saturday: Philip Schofield quits This Morning

It came following reports that his relationship with long-term co-presenter Holly Willoughby, who will remain on the show but is currently taking early half-term leave, had come under strain.

Hammond, 48, and O’Leary, 49, already host the show every Friday and are frontrunners to replace Schofield – with ITV yet to announce who will permanently get the role.

Other contenders include The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes and her husband, JLS star Marvin Humes, along with familiar This Morning regulars such as Rylan Clark, Josie Gibson and Gino D’Acampo.

What did Schofield say?

Schofield, 61, announced his exit at the weekend after presenting what turned out to be his final show on Thursday.

“I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning,” he said in his statement. “But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.

“Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last 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.”

Read more:
Phillip Schofield leaves This Morning: His statement in full
Phil and Holly: A timeline of their relationship

Holly Willoughby (left) and Phillip Schofield in 2019

Shortly afterwards, Willoughby shared her own statement, saying: “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.

“This sofa won’t feel the same without him.”

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Willoughby is set to be back in the studio from Monday 5 June.

Previously, the pair have been open about their close friendship over the years, including sharing pictures on social media of joint holidays with their families.

ITV to continue work with Schofield

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, has said that ITV will continue its relationship with Schofield, despite his This Morning departure, “starting with The British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak time series to come”.

Schofield has faced a difficult few months, including his brother’s sex abuse trial, criticism over his visit to the late Queen’s lying in state and his reported rift with Willoughby.

Former civilian police worker Timothy Schofield, 54, was jailed for 12 years on Friday after being convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.

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Unreleased Beyonce music stolen from car

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Unreleased Beyonce music stolen from car

Unreleased Beyonce music – along with footage and show plans – has been stolen from a car in Atlanta, police say.

The vehicle had been rented by the star’s choreographer and a dancer last week.

But on 8 July – just before she was about to begin a four days of performances in the city – the SUV’s back window was smashed, and two suitcases were taken.

Two MacBook laptops, Apple headphones and luxury clothes are also missing – alongside the five thumb drives containing the songs.

An arrest warrant has been issued for a suspect, but their identity has been withheld.

“Light prints” have been detected at the scene, and the robbery was captured on CCTV.

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MasterChef presenter John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in report

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MasterChef presenter John Torode says allegation he used racist language upheld in report

MasterChef presenter John Torode says an allegation he used “racial language” was upheld in a report as part of a review into the behaviour of his former co-presenter Gregg Wallace.

The report, led by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.

There were also two standalone allegations made against other people.

In a statement posted on his Instagram page, Torode said he was one of those people, but added that he had “no recollection of the incident” and said he “did not believe that it happened”.

He commented: “Following publication of the executive summary of the investigation into Gregg Wallace while working on MasterChef, I am aware of speculation that I am one of the two other individuals against whom an allegation has been upheld.

“For the sake of transparency, I confirm that I am the individual who is alleged to have used racial language on one occasion.

“The allegation is that I did so sometime in 2018 or 2019, in a social situation, and that the person I was speaking with did not believe that it was intended in a malicious way and that I apologised immediately afterwards.

“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened.

“However, I want to be clear that I’ve always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact

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Gregg Wallace: Over half of allegations against MasterChef presenter substantiated, including one of unwanted physical contact

An investigation into Gregg Wallace’s “inappropriate behaviour” on MasterChef has found that more than half of the allegations against him have been substantiated, including one of “unwanted physical contact”.

MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK shared a summary of its report into historical allegations of misconduct against the 60-year-old presenter, carried out by independent law firm Lewis Silkin over seven months.

The report also said the number of sustained allegations made Wallace’s return to MasterChef “untenable”.

The investigation heard evidence from 78 witnesses, including 41 complainants.

There were 83 allegations against Wallace, and 45 of them were substantiated. All were related to MasterChef.

While the majority of the substantiated allegations related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated.

One allegation of unwanted physical contact was substantiated.

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Nearly all the allegations against Wallace were related to behaviour which is said to have occurred between 2005 and 2018, with just one substantiated allegation taking place post-2018.

Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014
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Wallace and Anne-Marie Sterpini in 2014

Ahead of the publication of the summary, Wallace had said he had been “cleared of the most serious and sensational accusations” made against him.

Additionally, the report summary found that there were also 10 standalone allegations about other people between 2012 and 2018/2019, two of which were substantiated. Those people were not named in the summary.

The investigation found that complaints had previously been raised with the production company between 2005 and 2024.

Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024
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Gregg Wallace on MasterChef. Pic: BBC/ Shine TV 2024

While the report flagged inadequate reporting procedures prior to 2016, when Endemol merged with Shine ahead of Banijay acquiring Endemol Shine in 2020, it said there were significant improvements to HR processes and training after 2016.

While the investigation said some formal action was taken by the BBC in 2017, it also noted the corporation held no information regarding concerns raised over Wallace centrally, resulting in issues being addressed as a first offence.

Sky News has tried to contact Gregg Wallace for contact today.

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