This Morning boss QUITS 10 years after Phillip Schofield scandal and ratings dive
This Morning boss, Martin Frizell, is leaving the ITV programme after 10 years at the helm
This Morning boss, Martin Frizell, is leaving the ITV programme after 10 years at the helm (
Image: ITV)
This Morning editor, Martin Frizell, has decided to step down from his role after 10 years.
Martin, 65, joined ITV in 2014 as Editor of Loose Women before switching to This Morning, which he will leave in Spring 2025. The TV boss is married to former GM:TV host Fiona Phillips, who shared her battle with Alzheimer’s at the age of 62 last year.
Revealing that he expects his ‘family priorities to change next year’, Martin said: “Next year I’m expecting my family priorities to change so I need to free up time for them. I love my team at ITV and will miss them and the thrill of live telly but it’s an always on, 24 hours a day, seven days a week commitment and I won’t be able to do both.”
He added: “It’s been a privilege to lead truly great presenters and producers, between us we’ve turned out more than six thousand hours of live topical telly, that’s around 20,000 items and whilst the gongs are always nice. I’m most proud of the change we made to so many lives, even saving a fair few with our campaigns on anti suicide, menopause, testicular cancer and ‘how – to’ items. This juggernaut is the toughest test for any broadcast journalist.”
This Morning boss, Martin Frizell, is leaving the programme after 10 years
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director, Media and Entertainment said: “This Morning is an iconic show in ITV’s schedule, and heading the team for a decade, producing more than ten hours of original, topical, live television every week is an amazing achievement.
“As a programme and a brand, Martin has made sure the show continues to be a household name, an award-winning staple of the schedule with a growing successful presence in digital and social. On behalf of the ITV Network, we thank Martin and wish him the very best for his future ventures.”
Emma Gormley, Managing Director, ITV Studios Daytime, added: “Martin has brought so much success to This Morning over the last decade which has seen an evolving landscape of changing and diversifying viewing habits. Under Martin, This Morning is now one of the nation’s most engaged formats, on both ITV and social platforms, hitting an amazing 1 billion views across this year alone; an incredible legacy.
“I am proud of the brilliance and energy that he has brought to his role as custodian of this iconic brand. Martin’s decade-long contribution to the longevity and good health of our flagship show has been remarkable, and he leaves it in a place where it can continue to thrive into the next decade and beyond.”
Despite once being one of the most popular shows on TV, This Morning’s ratings have dwindled following a a slew of scandals in recent years. The show’s longstanding presenter, Phill Schofield, left the programme last year before admitting to an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a younger runner on the show.
Prior to his departure, Phil was said to have left his co-host Holly Willloughby, fuming after he allegedly refused to let her present This Morning alone for International Women’s Day. It’s believed that this sparked the moment the pair started to distance themselves from one another before becoming complete strangers.
Sources claim that Phillip believes his former friend threw him under the bus when he stepped down from all work with ITV before admitting his affair. He had previously denied all allegations surrounding him and his younger colleague.
In September, a report suggested that Holly was “incandescent” with rage following Phillip’s refusal to let her go solo for the day. It’s claimed that the Broom Cupboard star became aware of Holly’s request when ITV boss Martin texted him, asking him if he’d like to take the day off so Holly could work alone. But Martin’s text felt “patronising,” according to a pal of Schofield.
Having reportedly complained to his boss, stating that it felt misogynistic and as though they had been transported back to the 1950s, Schofield is said to have gone above Martin’s head and complained to the managing director of daytime, Emma Gormley. “Martin then suggested he present a wine item, which left Phil going above his head and complaining to Emma Gormley,” it was claimed.
Eventually, Holly fronted the first segment of the programme completely alone with an all-female production crew as she opened the programme as she exclaimed: “Happy International Women’s Day! Well look at this, this is a lovely way to start the show!”
After Phil left, there were allegations of a ‘toxic workplace’ on the daytime show, however, there was no finding of such a culture on This Morning an external review found in December last year.
