Controversial broadcaster Piers Morgan has claimed Phillip Schofield is "utterly heartbroken" after not being given the opportunity to say a "proper goodbye" to the audience on This Morning after his "immediate" exit.
This Morning veteran Phil, 61, confirmed he was leaving the show after 21 years of presenting duties, as reports of a "feud" with his co-host Holly Willoughby, 42, raged on.
It was confirmed Holly will remain on the show, but is taking early half-term holiday leave.
Alison Hammond and Craig Doyle stepped in to present This Morning on Wednesday, after she and Dermot O'Leary filled in for the first two days since Phillip's departure last Thursday.
Writing in his column for The Sun newspaper, former ITV broadcaster Piers said: "I don't know the full story behind Phillip Schofield's downfall, but where I feel personal empathy with him is over the manner of his sacking.
"For ITV to not even give him the chance to say a proper goodbye to his large, loyal audience after 21 years struck me as needlessly churlish, and I know he's utterly heartbroken about it, because he told me himself."
PA reports that an ITV spokesperson said on Wednesday: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”
Piers stirred speculation over who will be replacing Phillip on the show, suggesting it could be the "halo-clad household name" who had applied for his job after he famously stormed off Good Morning Britain in 2021 and then subsequently left the show.
The 58-year-old broadcaster, who has overcome a "25-year rift" with Phillip said the TV presenter was "not the evil monster he's being painted", nor was he "the angel his previously halo-clad reputation suggested".
He wrote that what had happened to Phillip was "further evidence" of "ruthless backstabbing in the world of daytime television".
Piers said Phillip was once "the undisputed king of morning TV" and was racing towards "bona fide national treasure status" but has quickly been "dethroned, shamed, vilified, national disgrace and social media laughing stock".
Piers said the last few days with developing news about Phillip have been "brutal to watch" and revealed he had received an email from a former senior ITV executive describing daytime television as an "absolute nest of vipers with zero loyalty".
Last Thursday marked Phillip's last day on the show as he said he will not be returning for a final episode.
His departure comes after he faced months of controversy including reports of a rift with his long-time co-host Holly, his brother’s sex abuse trial and a furore over his visit to the late Queen’s lying-in-state.
ITV has said Holly will "co-present with members of the This Morning family" when she returns on Monday June 5.
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