Richard Madeley talking to Phillip Schofield as he speaks out on 'brutal' This Morning exit

Richard Madeley has revealed that he is in contact with Phillip Schofield following his shocking departure from This Morning. The broadcaster initially 'stepped back' from his role on the ITV daytime show after more than 20 years as he said rumours about his fractured relationship behind the scenes with Holly Willoughby had 'become the story'.

However, Phillip, 61, then issued his resignation a week later after he admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague on the show.

An independent inquiry is currently being undertaken into This Morning to review the facts after what happened with its former star and since his exit, This Morning has also faced claims of toxicity and bullying behind the scenes.

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But now, Good Morning Britain star Richard has spoken out on his former ITV colleague's exit from the show he helped launch 35 years ago with his wife Judy Finnegan. "I feel very sorry for Phillip - it seemed a pretty savage outcome after 21 years [in the job]," he told The Sun.

"It seemed quite brutal to be honest. I took a paternal interest in it - I kept in touch, told him to take it easy and that it’ll be all right. He agreed. All things pass in the end."

He added: "We’ve all been through terrible experiences and the worst ones are the phones that come out of a clear blue sky and you don’t see them coming. Politicians say they’re only one debate away from a catastrophe and it’s the same in our industry."

And Richard was also asked if he'd do a turn in his former role