ITV morning shows, Good Morning Britain (GMB) and Lorraine, have come under fire from viewers for allegedly ignoring the major news of Phillip Schofield’s departure as the presenter of This Morning. After a successful 20-year stint at the helm of the popular morning show, Schofield’s sudden resignation was announced over the weekend, leaving fans and media outlets buzzing with speculation.
Rumors about a behind-the-scenes feud between Schofield and his co-host Holly Willoughby had been circulating for days, adding fuel to the anticipation of GMB’s coverage of the news. However, disappointed viewers claimed that the topic was only briefly mentioned during the news roundup, leading to criticism and questioning on social media.
One Twitter user, @CarmenaBCardiff, expressed their frustration, stating, “Soooo we’re really going to just not say anything then? I am not shocked maybe the BBC will #GMB.” Another user, @bill_dyke1, commented, “Why aren’t GMB talking about the biggest story to hit ITV in years? Strange! #gmb.”
The dissatisfaction extended to Lorraine’s show as well, as some fans found it “weird” that the fallout from the weekend announcement was completely ignored in the first half of the program. The absence of any mention of Schofield’s departure, which many considered the “biggest news story of the weekend,” left viewers puzzled and disappointed.
During GMB’s news roundup, presenter Ranvir Singh briefly addressed the issue, announcing that Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary would be standing in for Schofield and Willoughby, with the latter taking a two-week break for half-term. However, the network confirmed that Willoughby would continue co-presenting with members of the This Morning family upon her return on June 5.
Regarding the permanent replacement for Schofield, ITV has not yet announced a decision. While Hammond and O’Leary are strong contenders given their experience on the show, no confirmation has been made regarding the rest of the week’s presenters.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes has currently placed 48-year-old Alison Hammond as the favorite to fill Schofield’s shoes, with odds of 2/1. Hammond gained fame as a contestant on Big Brother in 2002 before joining This Morning in the same year. Her ability to bring laughter to even the biggest A-listers has made her a beloved figure on the show over the past two decades.
Dermot O’Leary, 49, who has made several appearances as a presenter on This Morning throughout the years, has been given 4/1 odds by Ladbrokes. Other potential presenters being considered include Rochelle Humes, a former member of The Saturdays, and her husband, JLS star Marvin Humes, as well as Rylan Clark, Josie Gibson, and Gino D’Acampo
