The entire future of ITV’s This Morning is ‘up in the air’, a leading entertainment expert has said. 

For days, the news agenda in Britain has been dominated by the fallout from Philip Schofield’s exit from the show. 

Originally, Mr Schofield said he was leaving because “the current situation can't go on."

He subsequently revealed he had lied to ITV bosses and Ms Willoughby about having an affair with a younger male colleague - something he described as “unwise but not illegal”. 

Ms Willoughby posted on Instagram that the admission was “very hurtful”. 

A doctor, who used to provide medical advice on This Morning, has described the atmosphere on the show as “toxic” - something presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary denied on air. 

“It’s all quite scandalous and I think that it was about time that This Morning actually said something about all the news, all the revelations that have been coming out,” Deirdre Molumby told The Hard Shoulder. 

“They’ve been quite quiet for a while and I still think it’s very much up in the air what’s going to be the future of not just who is presenting This Morning but even perhaps the fate of the show more generally speaking.

“Even with the tensions that were going on between Holly and Phil, the figures that were coming out in terms of the viewership… those figures were dropping as well.” 

Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby with the award for Best Daytime Show on stage during the 2014 National Television Awards at the O2 Arena, London.

Ms Molumby said the show’s brand is “irreparably damaged” and that Mr Schofield’s career could well be over. 

“I don’t think we’re going to see him for a few years and I think it’s about time to be honest,” she said. 

“At the end of the day, he’s led a very illustrious and long and successful career. 

“I think him and Holly Willoughby were considered inseparable for a long time; they hosted This Morning together since 2009 - that’s a very long run of it. 

“And it’ll be interesting to see what moves Holly Willoughby makes… whether she goes solo on another show or sticks with This Morning. 

“It’s all very up in the air at the moment.” 

In response to rumours that This Morning could be cancelled, ITV said the programme “is not under review and there are no plans for the show to be axed.”

Main image: Phillip Schofield and Holly Willougby. Photo: David Jensen