Former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan, 58, has admitted he sympathises with Phillip Schofield, 61, who stepped down from ITV’s This Morning after 20 years on the show.
Piers claimed the star, who was given a very low-key send-off this weekend, “probably deserved better”.
The TalkTV host, who publicly feuded with ITV after his tumultuous GMB departure back in 2021, also described daytime TV as “infested by a pack of savages”.
On Saturday, Phillip left This Morning with immediate effect following various reports of a rift in his once-strong friendship with co-star Holly Willoughby, 42.
Piers gave his thoughts on the bombshell announcement, telling Times Radio: “Anyone who thinks daytime telly is full of smiley, nicey, happy clappy people; I think they are beginning to realise it is infested by a pack of savages.
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“There is nothing more ruthless than the way talent, as we so laughably get called in TV, get treated when the plug gets pulled.”
He also criticised the awkward tribute to Phillip delivered by stand-in This Morning presenters Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond following his departure.
In a short and rather sombre opening monologue, Dermot said everyone “on and off screen at ITV wants to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he’s done to make the show such a success over the last 21 years”.
Alison added: “We all know he’s one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had. We wish him all the best for the future.”
A source also told the Sun that the decision not to dwell on Phil’s departure was a deliberate move by ITV bosses, who were keen to move the conversation on.
They claimed: “A tribute to Phillip had to be done, it was unavoidable. The sensible thing to do was nip everything in the bud and just get on with the show, as there is a huge desire to return to normal.”
Piers told the publication how he had “some sympathy” for Phil, once again slamming the entertainment industry for the treatment of its stars.
“I do think, after 20-odd years on This Morning, winning awards every year, whatever has gone on behind the scenes, he was entitled to a better send-off,” he said.
“But then, I thought I was too at Good Morning Britain for breaking all the ratings records and making the show the most talked-about show in the country — but that’s showbiz. And showbiz is a shallow pool of shark-infested waters.”
Express.co.uk has contacted ITV for comment.
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