The editor of ITV’s This Morning only discovered presenter Holly Willoughby was quitting the show 20 minutes before she announced her decision on Instagram, according to reports.
Martin Frizell was ‘blindsided’ by the move, the Daily Mail reports, after receiving a phone call just before 5.00pm on Tuesday - the day Willoughby announced her departure.
The paper claims that instead, Willoughby turned to ITV's head of daytime output Emma Gormley to talk about her future on the show.
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The publication goes on to say that the news ‘stunned’ Frizell, according to colleagues - as he had been reassured that Willoughby would be staying put on the show for the ‘foreseeable future’.
Willoughby joined the long-running daytime TV show as Phillip Schofield's co-host in 2009.
In her statement on Instagram, she said it was a ‘difficult goodbye’ after spending 14 years fronting the show.
In a post on Instagram, she said: "I've let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning.
"To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together. Thank you to everyone at ITV for being supportive. To every guest who has sat on our sofa, thank you.
"Most of all, thank you to the wonderful viewers. You've been so loyal, so supportive and the very best company every day.
"Richard and Judy said 'we only look after this show, it will always belong to the viewers'. It's been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.
"I will miss you all so much. Holly"
Following her announcement, ITV’s Managing Director, Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo released his own statement on behalf of the network.
He said: "We are sad that Holly is leaving This Morning, but respect her decision which we know will have been extremely difficult for her to make.
"Holly is one of the best loved, respected and most accomplished broadcasters in the UK. She has been at the heart of This Morning for the past 14 years, and she is adored by our viewers.
"Holly has brought her unique brand of warmth, energy, humour and fun to one of the country’s most popular daytime shows, and everyone on the programme will miss her enormously.
"She remains a much loved member of the ITV family and we look forward to continuing to work with her in the future."
LADbible has contacted ITV for comment.
Topics: Holly Willoughby, This Morning, ITV
Claire Reid