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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Eve Beattie

Amanda Holden backs Dermot O’Leary to replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning

Amanda Holden has backed Dermot O’Leary to replace Phillip Schofield on This Morning.

Schofield, 61, stepped down from the ITV talk show on Saturday after more than 20 years amid reports of a fallout with co-presenter Holly Willoughby. It also came after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was jailed for 12 years for child sex offences.

Alison Hammond and O’Leary, who celebrated his 50th birthday on Wednesday, stepped in to present This Morning on Monday and Tuesday, while Craig Doyle took the helm with Hammond on Wednesday.

Britain’s Got Talent judge Holden, who has previously spoken of an apparent rift between her and Schofield, backed O’Leary for a permanent place on the ITV sofa.

Appearing on her Heart Breakfast show, co-host Jamie Theakston asked if she thinks O’Leary would be “good to replace” Schofield.

The 52-year-old said: “Yes. I think him and Alison do a great job, don’t they?”

It comes as the BGT judge appeared to have taken a dig at Philip Schofield, years after their infamous feud.

Dermot O'Leary stepped into the role at ITV to replace legends Eammon Holmes and Ruth Langsford (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Amanda has never been quiet about her experience with Phillip, previously admitting to Heart Radio that she once extended an olive branch to him, which he ignored.

Now, following his exit from This Morning, the star took to Instagram to share a cryptic post.

On Saturday, the mum-of-two shared a bicep curl emoji, which is often used to show support and strength to people.

Her post- which has thousands of likes- was soon flooded with comments, with former Coronation Street star Charlie Condou penning: "Exactly."

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