This Morning poaches boss of rival Channel 4 daytime series as Holly Willoughby returns to the sofa after ‘riding the storm’ of Phillip Schofield scandal
It is a hugely-anticipated comeback that could determine if one of ITV’s most important programmes can survive.
Holly Willoughby returns to the This Morning sofa today after her eight-week summer break in a bid to save it following the Phillip Schofield scandal that left its future in doubt.
And it has emerged that the show has poached the boss of its rival Channel 4 daytime series Steph’s Packed Lunch as it awaits the results of an external investigation into complaints about the network’s toxic working culture.
Vivek Sharma has been hired from the lunchtime show hosted by Steph McGovern to work closely with under-fire This Morning editor Martin Frizell.
Mr Sharma’s appointment has prompted speculation among This Morning staff that the role of Mr Frizell, the show’s long-serving boss, may be under threat.
Holly Willoughby (pictured in July) returns to the This Morning sofa today after her eight-week summer break in a bid to save it following the Phillip Schofield scandal that left its future in doubt
Vivek Sharma (pictured) has been hired from the lunchtime show hosted by Steph McGovern to work closely with under-fire This Morning editor Martin Frizell. Mr Sharma’s appointment has prompted speculation among This Morning staff that the role of Mr Frizell, the show’s long-serving boss, may be under threat
An ITV source said: ‘It came as a bit of a shock to some that Vivek was hired to work alongside Martin. They have known one another for some time and have worked together too.
‘But that timing, as the outcome of the investigation is expected, has meant there is lots of talk of people’s futures.
‘You can’t help but wonder if the findings from the review don’t go the way ITV hope then Vivek might get the big job at This Morning.’
ITV’s head of daytime Emma Gormley, chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall and her deputy Kevin Lygo are also under threat of losing their jobs following the Schofield scandal.
Ms Willoughby, 42, is said to be ‘delighted’ to have her close friend Alison Hammond present This Morning with her as she is given the reins to lead the show after co-presenting with Schofield for 14 years until he left in May.
She will also be hosting with Dermot O’Leary, Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle while Welsh heartthrob presenter Steve Jones will appear on the sofa in the not-too-distant future with ITV bosses excited about their on-screen chemistry.
Sources close to Ms Willoughby, who has spent the summer at her lavish villa in Portugal, say she is excited to return.
Ms Willoughby, 42, is said to be ‘delighted’ to have her close friend Alison Hammond present This Morning with her as she is given the reins to lead the show after co-presenting with Schofield for 14 years until he left in May. Willoughby and Hammond are pictured together on This Morning in March this year
It hasn’t been a good year for This Morning after the Philip Schofield scandal earlier in May left the programme in turmoil. Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield are pictured together in January on Dancing On Ice
They add she has ‘ridden the storm’ but is aware she has a huge responsibility on her shoulders.
There are deep-rooted fears among bosses that they are not out of the woods yet as the results of the Schofield inquiry are anticipated this month which executives know they will have to publish in full.
Tomorrow Ms Willoughby will be a guest at the National Television Awards despite not being shortlisted for best presenter although This Morning is up for best daytime show.
Schofield, 61, was ousted after 21 years in May before admitting he had had a relationship with a much younger colleague and later lying about it. In a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail, the veteran TV presenter described this as ‘unwise but not illegal’.
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