Phillip Schofield described This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby as his ‘absolute  rock’ last week. Today, he sensationally quit the show after sharing the sofa with her for 13 years – making no mention of his close friend in his exit statement.

As reports of a feud between the ITV stars emerged earlier this month, Phil broke his silence to insist they had not fallen out after a string of controversies including Queuegate and his brother, Timothy, being convicted of child sex offences. 

Phil’s gushing statement to The Sun, in which he described them as ‘the best of friends’ and said the last few weeks hadn’t been easy for either of them, was reportedly a complete surprise to Holly. 

Sources told MailOnline that Holly wanted to pull the plug on their working relationship and that the pair’s ‘once super close friendship is no longer’.

Now, as Phillip leaves ITV’s flagship daytime TV show after 21 years, the TV veteran will likely turn to his support network, including a close industry friend, his estranged wife, and his daughters.

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Tension: The TV presenter, 61, has bowed out of the show following reports of a feud with his co-host Holly Willoughby (pictured on his last show, May 18)

Simon Schofield – Actor friend

In the midst of his feud with Holly, Phil was said to be leaning heavily on his close friend Simon Schofield for support.

Sources close to the veteran TV star told MailOnline the pair, who are not related, have been in regular communication in recent weeks as pressure on his career mounted.

As well as bringing in a lawyer and PR expert to help deal with the crisis, singer and actor Simon has also been a rock for Phillip over the past fortnight.

A source said: ‘Philip needs as much support as he can get at the moment.

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Philip, 61, and Simon, 38, worked together during the early part of their careers and kept in close contact ever since

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History: Philip, 61, and Simon, 38, worked together during the early part of their careers and kept in close contact ever since

‘The fallout of his row with Holly, plus the criticism from media figures elsewhere, is a lot to take on.

READ MORE: Phillip Schofield QUITS This Morning after 21 years

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‘Thankfully Simon has been on hand to talk to as much as he can.

‘They’re old mates who both know the industry inside out and appreciate how brutal it can be.’

Philip, 61, and Simon, 38, worked together during the early part of their careers and kept in close contact ever since.

Indeed, three months after Philip came out in February 2020, the pals were mistaken for lovers when the former Going Live presenter posted a picture of them on a socially distanced dog walk during the pandemic.

He wrote: ‘First socially distanced walk with a mate. Thank you @sischofe.. last person I had a drink with before the wheels fell off, first I’ve seen as we try to reattach them.’

After a follower queried whether there was a deeper meaning to his use of the term ‘mate’, Phillip hit back: ‘Yes! A mate! That’s what they still call family friends who you’ve known for 20 years and come round to check if you’re OK.’

Stephanie Lowe – Estranged wife

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Phillip Schofield with Stephanie Lowe, his wife of 27 years who he described as his ‘strength and support’ after coming out as gay

Phil’s estranged wife, Stephanie Lowe, offered the TV star ‘strength and support’ after he came out as gay in 2020.

The This Morning star came out as gay almost three years ago, after 27 years of marriage to Stephanie, 58, however they have not yet divorced.

The couple married at Ackergill Tower on 29 March 1993 and have remained friends since he came out in February 2020.

They share two daughters and when they separated in 2020 Phil moved out of their family home in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire to Chiswick in London.

They are often pictured out together with their 20-something daughters, Molly and Ruby, and Phil has previously said that they remain ‘a loving family’.

Molly and Ruby – Daughters

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The presenter beamed as he stepped out alongside his family as they celebrated his daughter, Ruby’s (left) birthday with a trip to the theatre to see Les Miserables last year

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in 2017, Ruby graduated from Leeds Becket University where she achieved a 2:1 in psychology and received a first for her dissertation

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Phil said he and his wife Stephanie, and daughters Molly and Ruby, remain ‘a loving family’ after he came out in 2020

Phil is extremely close to his two grown-up daughters, Molly, 29, and Ruby, 27.

When the presenter came out publicly, he revealed how his girls and their mother supported him in ‘coming to terms’ with the fact that he is gay.

READ MORE: Amanda Holden appears to take thinly-veiled SWIPE at Phillip Schofield with cryptic post

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‘My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion.’

He added: ‘My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort.’

Molly is a Talent Manager at Phil’s agency YMU Group, and has helped to manage her famous dad over the years.

His eldest may have had a hand in how he has navigated the tumultuous last few weeks, as he previously revealed that he won’t post anything without her giving him the go-ahead.

Molly boasts 60,000 followers on her Instagram, where she shares snaps from her travels as well as with her partner and sister Ruby.

Her younger sister also shares snippets of her charmed life with her 80,000 followers.

In 2017, Ruby graduated from Leeds Becket University where she achieved a 2:1 in psychology and received a first for her dissertation.

She shared a celebratory Instagram with her proud dad, mum and older sister on her uni ground while posing in her cap and gown.

At school, she took A-levels in History, Business and Biology while also excelling in lacrosse at the at her £11,000 a term private boarding school. She has also interned at ITV, undoubtedly with the help of her doting dad.

Discussing his children’s thoughts on his social media presence with Hello! last year, Phil said: ‘I don’t post anything without their say-so. I check with them, is this okay? But they’re fine with it. My eldest daughter is my manager so she’s well across it all.’

Phillip Schofield’s statement in full

‘I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.

‘Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.

‘I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.

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Phillip said: ‘I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future’

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Holly shared her own statement which said: ‘I want to take this opportunity to thank fim for all his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him’

‘So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.

‘I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.’

Holly Willoughby’s statement in full

‘It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.’