Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will take over presenting duties for Monday’s This Morning following the departure of Phillip Schofield.

Schofield, who has been on the morning show for more than 20 years, said on Saturday that he was stepping back because the programme “has become the story” and “I want to do what I can to protect the show I love”.

His co-star Holly Willoughby will remain on the show, but is taking early half-term holiday leave next week. She is expected to return on 5 June, ITV said.

Hammond, 48, and O’Leary, 49, who already host the show every Friday, will step up and appear on the sofa on Monday. Presenters for the rest of next week are yet to be confirmed by the broadcaster.

Both Hammond and O’Leary are frontrunners to permanently take over Schofield’s role.

Other contenders to take over presenting duties include The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes and her husband, JLS star Marvin Humes, as well as familiar This Morning regulars, Rylan Clark, Josie Gibson and Gino D’Acampo.

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Schofield’s last show was on Thursday, after the star faced months of controversy, including reports of a rift with on and off-screen friend Willoughby, his brother’s sex abuse trial, and criticism over his visit to the late Queen’s lying in state.

In a statement, Schofield thanked everyone who supported him and said “especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month”.

The Soap Awards is just one “peak time show” that the 61-year-old will continue to present for ITV – another includes a new prime time series, the broadcaster has said.

Viewers will be used to the disruption of presenters, as Schofield and Willoughby have recently both taken leave from the show.

Schofield took pre-planned leave from the show around his brother’s sex abuse trial at Exeter Crown Court last month.

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Former civilian police worker Timothy Schofield, 54, was jailed for 12 years on Friday after being convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child.

While Willoughby was missing from the show in April due to shingles – a painful rash caused by the same virus as chickenpox.

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