‘This Morning’ Boss Martin Frizell Exits Controversy-Hit ITV Morning Show

K.J. Yossman
·3-min read

“This Morning” boss Martin Frizell is exiting from the ITV morning show after ten years in the role.

It is the latest blow for 37-year-old magazine format show “This Morning,” which has suffered a series of controversies over the past 24 months after its long running anchors, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, stepped down in quick succession.

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Frizell is the show’s longest-running editor, having joined ITV in 2014 as the editor of fellow daytime show “Loose Women.” He is set to step down next spring. His successor has not yet been announced.

“Next year I’m expecting my family priorities to change so I need to free up time for them,” said Frizell. “I love my team at ITV and will miss them and the thrill of live telly but it’s an always on, 24 hours a day, seven days a week commitment and I won’t be able to do both.”

“It’s been a privilege to lead truly great presenters and producers, between us we’ve turned out more than six thousand hours of live topical telly, that’s around 20,000 items and whilst the gongs are always nice. I’m most proud of the change we made to so many lives, even saving a fair few with our campaigns on anti suicide, menopause, testicular cancer and ‘how – to’ items. This juggernaut is the toughest test for any broadcast journalist.”

Kevin Lygo, ITV’s media and entertainment boss, said: “‘This Morning’ is an iconic show in ITV’s schedule, and heading the team for a decade, producing more than ten hours of original, topical, live television every week is an amazing achievement. As a programme and a brand, Martin has made sure the show continues to be a household name, an award-winning staple of the schedule with a growing successful presence in digital and social. On behalf of the ITV Network, we thank Martin and wish him the very best for his future ventures.”

Frizell’s last two years at the show may well have contributed to his decision to step back. Controversy first raged after Schofield and Willoughby were accused of “queue jumping” when they were given VIP access to see Queen Elizabeth II lying in state following her death, in Sept. 2022. Reports then began to bubble up that all was not well between the co-anchors, which increased after Schofield’s brother Timothy went on trial for sexually abusing a child. Schofield took a last-minute leave of absence from his dayjob during the trial, reportedly “blindsiding” Willoughby, who was unaware of the impending court case.

Tension between the two, who were not only longtime colleagues but close friends, finally reached a crescendo after Schofield admitted to having an affair with a young PA, a mistake he described as “unwise but not illegal,” ending his 20 year career at the show. It is unclear whether Schofield resigned or was pushed out – he has since claimed the latter – and the show attempted to limp along with Willoughby and a replacement. Not long afterwards, however, Willoughby learned a man had been arrested after plotting to kidnap and murder her. He was jailed for a minimum of 16 years this summer. After the plot came to light, Willoughby decided to step down from the show after 14 years in the role.

After much handwringing, the duo were finally replaced by “So You Think You Can Dance” host Cat Deeley and “Good Morning Britain” anchor Ben Shephard in March of this year, leading to a slump in ratings.

Last month Schofield attempted a TV comeback with a Channel 5 special that saw him marooned on a desert island. During his time on the island the former star of British daytime TV bitterly blasted a trio he nickname the “three shits of showbiz” for allegedly abandoning him as his career came crashing down. Although he didn’t name them, British tabloid The Sun speculated they were Willoughby, ITV boss Carolyn McCall and “This Morning” editor Frizell.

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