This Morning show co-presenters Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson broke down in tears today on what was the show’s boss Martin Frizzell’s last day before quitting to take care of his Alzheimer’s-hit wife Fiona Phillips.
Frizzell, who had overseen the show’s production for the last decade, was asked to join both Hammond and Gibson on the sofa at the end of the show.
In a moving segment, the co-presenters told Frizzell how much he meant to them and how much they valued his impact on their careers.
An emotional Hammond said: ‘He’s the one that took a chance on us, transforming mine and Josie’s careers.
‘It’s an incredible opportunity and we just want to say thank you very much. We love you’.
The This Morning presenter continued: ‘On behalf of the team on This Morning we think you are incredible and we are so sad to see you go’.
Gibson echoed Hammond’s words, adding that Frizzell believed in her when she didn’t even believe in herself.
‘I just want to say, thank you so much because you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself and you grew me as a presenter and I just can’t thank you enough’.
Josie Gibson (left) and Alison Hammond (centre) invited This Morning boss Martin Frizzell (right) onto the show’s famous sofa on what was his last day
Hammond (left) and Frizzell (right) could be seen sharing a hug during the emotional segment
Alison Hammond (left) being embraced by show boss Martin Frizzell (right) after breaking down in tears over his departure from This Morning
Reacting to the pair’s kind words, Frizzell replied: ‘If you were rubbish, you wouldn’t be on telly,’ Martin replied. ‘You’re very good. It has been a great ride and a fantastic time’.
His departure from the show’s production team had been announced earlier on during the broadcast by Gibson and came off the back of his own announcement last November that he would soon be stepping down for personal reasons.
Frizzell’s wife Fiona Phillips had received a heartbreaking Alzheimer’s diagnosis back in 2022, with the This Morning boss taking the decision to quit the show in order to spend more time with her.
‘Next year I’m expecting my family priorities to change, so I need to free up time for them’, the 66-year-old said back in November.
‘I love my team at This Morning 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.
‘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’.
As a parting tribute, Frizzell was also given control of the show’s Friday jukebox. His song selection of Shania Twain’s 1997 hit ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman!’ played out in the background, much to the approval of the show’s co-hosts.
This Morning boss Martin Frizzell (right) has stepped down from the helm of the ITV show after 10 years to spend more time with wife Fiona Phillips (left)
The television supremo, 66, announced he was standing down after ten years at the head of the popular daytime show in November with ITV sources saying his job was not ‘conducive to Fiona’s illness’ (pictured 2005)
Fiona Phillips, with help from Frizzell, plans to release a book titled Remember this coming July which will chronicle her life living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Announcing the release of the book last year, the former GMTV presenter said: ‘I hope this book can show people a little about what it is like to live with Alzheimer’s.
‘How frightening and confusing it is. But also how much life can still bring joy and be valued.
‘And if you or someone you love is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, I hope this book brings you some comfort. I want you to know, you are not alone’.
Martin and Fiona first met when the latter was working on GMTV as a presenter and the former was its chief correspondent.
He later popped the question after they had been dating for just four weeks, before they went to Las Vegas to tie the knot in 1997.
They now have two children together, Nathaniel and Mackenzie, who are both in their 20s.
During Frizell’s tenure at the helm of This Morning the show was showered with multiple award wins, but was also engulfed in the scandal over Phillip Schofield’s affair with a younger colleague causing months of negative headlines.
During Frizell’s tenure at the helm of This Morning the show was showered with multiple award wins, but was also engulfed in the scandal over Phillip Schofield’s affair
His replacement Vivek Sharma said: ‘Having grown up watching the show, it’s an incredible privilege and honour to take on the role of Editor of This Morning’
His replacement Vivek Sharma will taken over the reins in March.
Vivek said: ‘Having grown up watching the show, it’s an incredible privilege and honour to take on the role of Editor of This Morning.
‘Over the last 37 years, the show has become a national institution and has been responsible for some of the most memorable moments on television.
‘It’s a cherished part of millions of people’s mornings on TV and on social media, where someone interacts with This Morning content every second.’
‘The team on and off camera are world-class and I can’t wait to work alongside them in my new role, as we shape the future of this iconic brand’.
