PHILLIP Schofield is at risk of losing another big presenting gig within a matter of days, according to reports.
The ex-This Morning star, 61, could be dropped from hosting the British Soap Awards on Saturday after his shock departure from ITV’s flagship show.
Phillip Schofield could lose another big job, according to an event insider
A source told The i: “It’s a big Saturday night event with celebrities and a paying public audience in the theatre. It’s happening very soon. What if viewers side with Holly and Phil gets jeered?
“It’s a high-risk return for Phil and his presence could overshadow the event.”
Phillip has a long history with the event, which will take place at Salford’s The Lowry, having hosted since 2006.
The spotlight will be on Phillip again at another prestigious ceremony, too, when he will go head to head with former best pal Holly Willoughby.
Both have made the best presenter long list at the National Television Awards which will take place in September.
Yesterday it was claimed that This Morning bosses axed Phillip amid fears famous guests would bring up allegations about his behaviour on air.
The star announced on Saturday that he was leaving “with immediate effect” – meaning he will not return for even a farewell show.
It came after The Celeb Report revealed that he and Holly were “barely speaking” off camera.
Dan Wootton, a former star of ITV’s Lorraine, has now claimed four household names were plotting to ambush Phillip.
Writing in the Mail, the journalist – now a host on GB News – said bosses felt there was a chance either a show regular or a guest could quiz Phillip.
He claimed at least four household name stars were set to embarrass the host live on air without producers’ knowledge.
Dan quoted an ITV source as saying: “The growing paranoia about what could go wrong was engulfing the management.
“They got through four days without any major disasters, even though it was obvious Holly and Phil‘s friendship was over.
“But if Holly had been put in the position of having to try and defend him from an attack on his reputation during the show by a regular or celebrity guest, it would have been an impossible position for her.”
Holly has been off air since the announcement and will return after the school half term break.
In the meantime, the show has been fronted by Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, the regular Friday hosts.
The Celeb Report revealed Phillip was told he had lost his job on This Morning just minutes after coming off air on Thursday.
ITV has insisted his departure was agreed on jointly. A spokesperson said: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”
He will get six months’ wages to soften the blow after ITV decided his feud with Holly was losing too many viewers.
A source said: “Phil has been given his This Morning wages for six months — but if that was meant to make him feel better, it’s just not working.
“Phil feels he has been shown zero respect and he is devastated by how this has played out.
“He thinks the way he was forced to step down was so unjust and he feels completely broken by how this situation has been handled.
“This Morning was Phil’s life and now he feels he has been knifed without proper consultation.
“Phil consulted his mum Pat and his ex-wife Stephanie before agreeing to step back. He is incredibly close to them both and wanted to gauge their thoughts.
“Phil also spoke with his daughters, Molly — who is a talent agent at his management company YMU — and Ruby.
“It was only after they’d had these discussions that Phil said he would agree to leave.
“Phil has dedicated over 20 years to that show and for it all to end this way has been incredibly upsetting for him.”
Phillip and Holly’s This Morning partnership has come to an end
