Front runners in the frame to replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning after young lover affair scandal
THESE are the front runners in the frame to replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning.
The future of the iconic daytime show is up in the air as ITV bosses come under fire over accusations they bodged a probe into the veteran presenter's past behaviour.
Despite insisting the once-loved show is "not under review", chiefs did not deny it could face a revamp in the next few months.
Schofield, 61, was forced out of the show he'd been presenting for 21 years over a growing feud with pal and co-star Holly Willoughby.
His departure was also fuelled by his brother Tim being outed as a peado.
Just six days later, he made a bombshell revelation about a "consensual on-off relationship" with a teen colleague - leaving him no choice but to quit ITV altogether.
READ MORE ON SCHOFIELD
In a series of scathing statements, the television network said no one employed on the daytime show knew of the affair as Schofield "lied" to everyone.
ITV launched a probe into the fling back in 2020 which saw the former TV presenter and the much younger male deny anything was going on.
The Sun on Sunday today revealed one household name on the show has drafted a resignation statement.
Now, a number of presenters could be in the running to fill Schofield's spot.
Most read in News TV
It comes as This Morning execs fear an exodus is on the horizon.
A source said: “The future of the show is hanging by a thread and the presenting talent are unsure of their next move - they’re deciding whether to leap from a sinking ship.
“The whole This Morning senior team is in complete damage-limitation mode worrying about the presenters who might walk away."
Alison Hammond - odds 2/1
Alison Hammond, 48, has taken the top spot and is the favourite to replace Schofield on the sofa.
The Birmingham-born presenter is a hit with viewers and is well-known for her hilarious interviews with celebrity guests.
Bookies odds place her at 2/1 as she takes the lead ahead of Dermot O'Leary.
The pair are currently presenting the daytime show together while Holly, 42, and Schofield were already scheduled for a break during half-term.
They used to just do Fridays together - which fans loved.
Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: "Punters reckon it could be an all-female set-up on the sofa and Alison Hammond is the new favourite to host alongside Holly Willoughby as the pair already have a brilliant on-screen rapport."
Dermot O'Leary - odds 5/2
A household name after presenting X Factor, Dermot O'Leary, 50, is the second favourite to take over.
He first appeared on the show in 2013 as a guest.
But was quickly invited back to cover Schofield when he was away for a week.
Bookies currently have him at 5/2 as his popularity grew when he started appearing alongside Alison more often.
Rylan Clark - odds 3/1
Rylan Clark, 34, is the third favourite to appear on Brits' screens every morning.
According to Ladbrokes, the star is at 3/1 odds to replace Schofield on the This Morning sofa next to Holly.
He originally shot to fame on the ninth series of X Factor but his huge personality launched his career outside of singing with a series of high profile presenting gigs on TV and radio.
He joined the This Morning team in 2014 discussing all the gossip from the singing show.
Fans thought he shared a cryptic Instagram post just hours after Schofield quit.
Josie Gibson - odds 7/1
Josie Gibson, 38, has been a regular segment presenter and announcer on This Morning since 2019.
She stepped in for Phil while he took three weeks off the show in March as his brother Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of child sex offences.
She previously shared motivational messages referencing “bad vibrations” and “worse people” as the ITV show descended into chaos.
Odds on Josie becoming a regular presenter are 7/1.
Rochelle Humes
Rochelle Humes, 34, has been apart of the This Morning crew for nearly 10 years.
She is the fifth favourite and someone Brits would like to see on their TVs.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The Saturdays singer started appearing as host on Fridays.
She has worked alongside Dermot, Vernon Kay and Eamonn Holmes.