Phillip Schofield ‘lined up for £1.5 million move to rival TV Channel’ after shock exit

PHILLIP Schofield could be ‘lined up for £1.5 million move to rival TV Channel’ after his shock ITV exit.

The presenter was sensationally axed from This Morning after his behind the scenes feud with Holly Willoughby, 42, came to a boiling point.

But it seems Phillip, 61, could be offered a £1.5 million deal to front a rival daytime show on Channel 5.

The star previously fronted the flagship morning programme since 2002, first alongside Fern Britton and then with Holly Willoughby in 2009 after a successful stint on Dancing On Ice from 2006.

Channel 5 previously hired Dan Walker in a high-profile poaching from the BBC in a deal to front news and current affairs programmes.

Just last week, the broadcaster also launched new daytime shows with Storm Huntley and Times Radio presenter Alexis Conran.

And it seems Phillip Schofield could be the next star on their wanted list as brand and culture expert Nick Ede told the : “I think that Phillip is a very popular TV presenter who has had many many successful years on screen.

“He still has a lot fans and I think that although his relationship on screen may be wavering he will have lots of other opportunities coming to him. He’s a bankable star. His popularity will see him overcome the current hurdles he’s facing.

“Another broadcaster may take him on or he will do radio for a while, as that’s lucrative and popular too, and he has a great knowledge of music.”

However bosses at ITV are keen to keep Phillip at the Channel as Kevin Lygo, ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment issued a huge message of support.

He said: “Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa. 

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip starting with The British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak time series to come.”