Phillip Schofield has been seen walking about in West London for the first time since Holly Willoughby dramatically quit ITV‘s This Morning.
Photographs show the former ITV star strolling down a leafy street two days after Ms Willoughby’s unexpected announcement on Instagram that she was leaving the show with immediate effect after 14 years.
Bosses are now said to be searching for ‘the new Phil and Holly’ to take over the flagship morning programme in the new year, hoping for a ‘complete revamp’ following a number of recent hits to the show.
The programme has suffered a ratings decline in the aftermath of Schofield’s coming off-air in May – after he admitted to an ‘unwise, but not illegal’ affair with a younger male colleague.
Today he was seen out and about sporting blue jeans and red trainers before getting into a dark grey car – while Ms Willoughby has not been seen since her announcement.
Phillip Schofield has been seen walking about in West London for the first time since Holly Willoughby dramatically quit ITV ‘s This Morning
42-year-old Ms Willoughby tearfully made the decision to quit with her family at the weekend before telling ITV it had ‘all got too much’ – then posting the emotional statement to her eight million followers on Instagram.
Her exit comes after a difficult year for the star, which has seen her deal with the absence of Mr Schofield after his affair with a young runner on the show.
Other familiar faces on This Morning, including Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary and Josie Gibson, are expected to continue in their roles, working alongside the fresh talent.
Among the names being touted is ITV star Ben Shephard, who yesterday admitted that he is ‘part of the furniture’ on the show but was unsure what next year holds.
He told The Mirror: ‘What I can tell you is I’m doing some more – I’m gonna be doing some more but I’m just helping out really. So I’ve got some days coming up between now and Christmas.
‘So I’m not exactly sure but I’m still very, very much part of the furniture…’
Despite his apparent uncertainty, bosses are reportedly hoping to screen test Shephard alongside some ‘exciting’ female presenters.
Ben has previously acted as a stand-in presenter on This Morning, covering for Phillip between 2005 and 2011.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
Content source – www.soundhealthandlastingwealth.com
