On Sunday night, Family Fortunes watchers squirmed as Phillip Schofield was one of the solutions to a question posed by This Morning hosts.
In a moment of breathtakingly awful timing, the gameshow challenged players to name the hosts of the ITV daytime programme, with Phil coming in second with 25 points, trailing only Holly Willoughby, who had 31.
The inquiry comes only one day after the television host, 61, announced his resignation from the show with “immediate effect.”
Viewers were quick to point out the haphazard Family Fortunes question on Twitter, with one writing: ‘Unfortunate choice of Family Fortunes category tonight.’
‘The timing of this is stunning,’ another said, while a third added: ‘Oooops. This is a badly timed question! Will they accept Phillip Schofield as an answer?’
Phil’s exit from This Morning came after rumours of a disagreement with his co-star Holly, with insiders claiming they no longer interact behind the scenes.
It also followed the revelation that his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Friday for child sex charges.
Phil declared his departure in an Instagram Story post.
So on #FamilyFortunes right now the question is ‘Name a Presenter on This Morning…’ 🤨 pic.twitter.com/8WbgJIShY9
— Darren Hanley (@darrenjhanley) May 21, 2023
Unfortunate choice of Family Fortunes category tonight pic.twitter.com/fvkKodbMIH
— Adam (@adamcobb) May 21, 2023
This is awkward. Family Fortunes got a question about This Morning, oh Lord and Philip Schofield is the spot prize…
— Hannah (@hannmrfitz) May 21, 2023
Question on Family Fortunes:
Name somebody who appears on This Morning?
*awkward timing* #FamilyFortunes #ThisMorning
— Alfie Garston (@alfiegarston) May 21, 2023
The timing of this is stunning #FamilyFortunes pic.twitter.com/GU3qLtRZCx
— Ryan *Arthur & Teddy Are Coming Out* Love (@RyanJL) May 21, 2023
Absolutely cackling at the “who appears on this morning” question on #familyfortunes
— Dave (@DavidMackayy) May 21, 2023
#FamilyFortunes Oooops. This is a badly timed question! Will they accept Phillip Schofield as an answer?
— Ken Barlow (@I_am_KenBarlow) May 21, 2023
The statement began: ‘Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
‘I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
‘So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
‘I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.’
According to the network, Phil will continue to host ‘peak time programmes’ for ITV, including next month’s The British Soap Awards and a new prime time series.
Meanwhile, Holly will continue to host This Morning, albeit she will be absent from the show until June 5 owing to half-term holiday leave.
Following Phil’s departure, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will present the show on Monday. It is unknown who will host the rest of the week.
Family Fortunes is available to stream on ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.