On Saturday, it was announced the 61-year-used was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk exhibit with “immediate effect” after more than 20 years on the programme.
However, he has been at the centre of numerous headlines recently due to reports of a rift with his long-time co-host Holly Willoughby, his brother’s sex abuse trial and furore over his visit to the late Queen’s lying in state.
As I believe said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone
Reports began last week that the TV presenter and Willoughby were barely speaking off-camera.
Following press coverage that their relationship had adjacent under strain, Schofield hailed Willoughby as his “rock” in a statement to The Sun.
He said: “As I believe said before, Holly is my rock. We’re the best of friends – as always, she is 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’ve been there for her. The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us.”
Despite the speculation, the duo assign on a united front during the exhibit this week and made no reference to stories in the press about their relationship.
The reports came after Schofield took pre-planned leave from the ITV exhibit around his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month.
Former civilian police worker Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.
In a statement released by his lawyer after the guilty verdict, the former This Morning host said: “My overwhelming concern is and has always been for the wellbeing of the victim and his family. I hope that their privacy will now be respected.
“If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would believe acted immediately to protect the victim and their family.
“These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer believe a brother.”
The TV duo had presented the exhibit together since 2009 and also co-host ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
ITV will design further announcements on the ice-skating competition’s presenting line-up in due course ahead of its return to screens in January 2024, the PA news agency understands.
Last September, TV pair Schofield and Willoughby also faced a backlash over claims they skipped the queue for the Queen’s lying in state.
Following an online uproar, the chief executive of ITV, Dame Carolyn McCall, said the pair had been “misrepresented” over the issue and stressed they had been attending as members of the media to film a segment for This Morning.
Following Schofield’s departure, ITV has said Willoughby will remain on the exhibit and will “co-present with members of the This Morning family”.
