Eamonn Holmes denies gloating over Phillip Schofield's This Morning departure

Eamonn Holmes has denied gloating over Phillip Schofield's sudden departure from This Morning.

The GB News presenter, who worked on the breakfast show between 2006 and 2021, has heavily criticised both Schofield and his former co-host Holly Willoughby in recent days.

First, he called the pair "actors" and then claimed Schofield was actually "sacked" before blasting Willoughby's statement about her longtime colleague's departure.

Holmes said: “Well, she wanted him not there, so what is she moaning about? Holly is being as false as he is and nobody is talking about the elephant in the room," before mimicking her on his GB News show.

Read more: Eamonn Holmes: Holly Willoughby 'stabbed Phillip Schofield in the back'

Holmes also posted a Tweet which read "Pappa got a smacker Thank u Emilia. All in all that rounded off what turned out to be a good day ," along with a photo of his granddaughter but many thought it was a sly dig at Schofield's exit.

One of his followers replied by saying: "Gloating is not classy," but the former Sky News host replied with "Please don't have me outlining what's really not classy."

ITV has said that Schofield "stepped down" from his role on the show but will continue to work for the network and is set to host the upcoming British Soap Awards which he has fronted since 2006.

The network has also hit back at Holmes to deny his claim that Schofield was "sacked" saying in a statement: “Phillip Schofield’s decision to step down from This Morning was (as his statement made clear) a decision agreed between Phillip and ITV.”

Schofield also presents Dancing on Ice alongside Willoughby though ITV has yet to make an official decision regarding who will host the next series which will air in 2024.

Willoughby will continue to host This Morning but is currently on leave with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary fronting the show in her absence.

Hammond is the bookies favourite to replace Schofield on a permanent basis.

Phillip Schofield: Read more

• What does the future hold for Dancing On Ice?

• Who are the favourites to take over on This Morning?

• Nadine Dorries lashes out at ex-This Morning host in scathing article (Independent, 18 min read)

Watch below: Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary pay tribute to Phillip Schofield