IT has been 12 months since Phillip Schofield’s 20-year stint on This Morning came to a bitter end.
Phil, 62, stepped back from ITV last May over an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger member of staff.
It followed weeks of denials over a backstage feud between him and his co-host Holly Willoughby as tensions boiled over.
The once best friends’ relationship was over – as was Phil’s television career.
This Morning editor Martin Frizell and Holly fought to keep their jobs and ride out the Schofe storm.
However, in the year since Phil last appeared on screen, the programme has suffered numerous tragedies – from shock deaths, court cases and love splits.
Here we take a look at the victims of the “cursed” daytime show.
Gino D’Acampo’s business goes bust
TV chef Gino D’Acampo has brought fun and laughter to This Morning viewers for years.
However his appearances on the show have been few and far between in recent times.
In June 2023 his restaurant chain shut down with £5.4million debt.
Last April, the company, owned by the This Morning TV chef, 46, and his wife Jessica declared itself solvent and two directors signed a declaration stating that it had no creditors.
Liquidators launched an in-depth investigation, costing a mammoth £150,000, to look into the conduct of major stakeholders and why company books have gone missing.
Matty Lock suicide
VACCUM cleaner expert Matty Lock was found to have taken his own life at just 19 years old.
The teenager had gained popularity reviewing hoovers on the ITV show.
He died on September 8 following a struggle with alcohol and drug ketamine in the year leading to his death.
At the time Holly wrote on social media: “Just so unbelievably sad… such a lovely and talented young man… sending my love to his friends and family, this must be such a difficult time.”
Dr Uchenna Okoye’s sudden death
TV dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye died suddenly from a bleed on the brain in the same month as Matty’s passing.
The 53-year-old, who starred on Channel 4 makeover show 10 Years Younger, was a regular contributor on ITV’s This Morning.
She fell ill and died on September 15 after suffering an uncommon type of stroke caused by bleeding in the space between the brain and thin tissues that surround the brain.
The a subarachnoid haemorrhage “can happen for no apparent reason”, the coroner heard.
Alleged kidnap plot of Holly Willoughby
HOLLY Willoughby quit This Morning days after taking a step back from the show amid an alleged foiled kidnap plot.
The 43-year-old told fans on October 10 she would not be returning to work, describing it as “such a difficult goodbye”.
Writing on Instagram at the time, Holly said: “I have 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. I will not be returning to This Morning.
“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.”
Gavin Plumb, 36, appeared in court charged with allegedly plotting to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby.
He was accused of contacting a ‘hitman’ in the US and allegedly making a “restraint kit” as part of an alleged plan to snatch the TV star.
The 35-stone shopping centre security officer faces charges including – soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap – with Holly as the alleged target.
It is claimed Plumb was in possession of “weapons” and had contacted a hitman based in America to carry out the “detailed plan”.
James Martin’s cancer battle
CELEBRITY chef James Martin has been secretly battling cancer – and has taken a step back from work to recover
In November 2023 he told fans he was focusing on his treatment.
He disclosed that five years earlier he had undergone surgery after being diagnosed with facial cancer before it returned on “several occasions”.
James made the revelation about his cancer diagnosis after finding himself at the centre of shock bullying claims while filming ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning.
The This Morning chef apologised and admitted that the end of 2017 was “one of the most fraught and difficult periods of my life.”
He added: “After all this stress, I was in a very emotional state, and when, after filming in early January 2018, I discovered my home had been flooded while filming, I was extremely upset.
“I can only say I am human and following a build-up of personal life pressure, I admit that I overreacted regarding the damage to my home.”
Dr Tijion Esho facing career ruin
TV doctor Tijion Esho was exposed for giving a patient free Botox in return for sex.
The General Medical Council described Dr Esho’s behaviour as “deplorable”.
The dad-of-two’s actions spanned almost three years.
It was said to be “serious professional misconduct”, a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service heard in April 2024.
Dr Esho – who has also starred on BBC’s Morning Live — could be struck off after telling his patient he could “get away” with administering more in exchange for sexual services
Michelle Elman
LIFE coach Michelle Elman was left devastated in April 2024 after discovering her fiancé had been cheating on her.
They were engaged for just one day before Michelle’s ended the relationship.
She was contacted by a social media follower after posting about her wedding plans.
Michelle told her followers: “All this f*****g sucks, I was engaged for 24 hours.”
Sam Rubin
THIS Morning entertainment reporter Sam Rubin suffered a fatal heart attack aged 64 in May 2024.
The TV star was also a longtime anchor for KTLA news in the United States.
Rubin was well-known for his celebrity coverage in the Los Angeles area.
He joined KTLA morning news show in 1991.
The 64-year-old was a multi-time Emmy winner and the host of Hollywood Uncensored with Sam Rubin, which produced more than 100 episodes.
Is Declan's public show of support the first sign Phil is considering a comeback?
By Clemmie Moodie, Assistant Editor
IT’S almost a year since Phillip Schofield’s world imploded.
He “quit” ITV, concerned the headlines surrounding him were detracting from his 21-year tenure on This Morning, the show he loved like no other.
Except, of course, he didn’t quit — he was unceremoniously axed by his paymasters at ITV.
The intervening months have told Phil all he needed to know about showbiz.
Some people, those he thought were mates for life, dropped him quicker than you can say “Gordon the Gopher”. (I know who they are but he’d metaphorically kill me for printing).
Others, such as like Declan Donnelly, Alison Hammond, Richard Madeley, James Corden, and Jeremy Clarkson, have all stayed in touch, offering support.
Showbusiness is a fickle beast; many of the people in it faker than Holly Willoughby’s Dancing on Ice tan.
Is this public show of support from Dec the first sign that Phil could be considering a gentle foray back into public life?
Phillip remains a shell of the man I first met for lunch four years ago.
Where he was once confident, assured, seemingly untouchable — and sure, he rubbed some people up the wrong way — today he is shy, frustrated, nervous to leave the house.
But a year is a long time in television.
Things happen, people change, events move on.
I’m told his name has been mooted for a couple of national radio shows — perhaps an ideal toe-in-the-water return for the star, once the golden boy of daytime telly.
Perhaps now, with his mates by his side, he can go back to living.