The controversy surrounding Phillip Schofield had threatened to overshadow the British Soap Awards. But the ceremony will now be hosted by TV personality and “super huge soap fan” Jane McDonald.
After Phillip Schofield left ITV, Jane McDonald will host the British Soap Awards.
The ceremony, which Schofield has hosted since 2006, will take place in Salford, Greater Manchester, on Saturday.
McDonald, a singer and TV personality known for programs such as Cruising With Jane McDonald and Loose Women, said she was “so excited” to assume hosting responsibilities.
In an Instagram post, the 60-year-old said, “Everyone knows how much I adore soap operas, and this year I’ve been honored to be mentioned in Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Emmerdale, so this is a fantasy come true.
“I can’t wait to see all of our wonderful nominees for soaps and celebrate their hard work with them – bring on the awards!”
Schofield left ITV this week after admitting to a “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague. Also dismissed by the talent agency YMU was he.
Following the revelations, the 61-year-old was also removed as an ambassador for the charity The Prince’s Trust. And ITV has asked a barrister to conduct an independent review of his departure from This Morning. Next week, MPs will question ITV executives about their handling of the situation.
The Schofield controversy threatened to overshadow the awards ceremony as the scandal dominated news coverage.
Organizers stated, upon announcing the “fabulous” McDonald as the ceremony’s new host, “As a super-huge soap fan, she’s in for a real treat as we celebrate all of our wonderful soaps in a star-studded glittering event.”
The awards ceremony will be broadcast on Tuesday evening on ITV.
What is her identity?
She went on to achieve success as a singer and stage performer, releasing several albums, as well as a TV host, winning a BAFTA for the travel program Cruising With Jane McDonald and hosting Holidaying With Jane McDonald.
She was also a panelist for several years on ITV’s Loose Women.
Following a cancer diagnosis in 2021, her long-term fiance, musician Eddie Rothe, passed away.
The unraveling of Phillip Schofield’s career
Schofield initially stated that he was departing This Morning after more than two decades because he had “become the story” due to rumors of a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby. The reports of the rift surfaced after his sibling was sentenced to 12 years in prison for child sex crimes.
At the time of this initial announcement, ITV referred to Schofield as “unquestionably one of the best broadcasters of his generation” and stated that they would continue to collaborate with him on additional projects, including the soap awards.
However, he was terminated when the affair’s details became public the following week.
Willoughby, 41, is scheduled to return to the program on Monday after her vacation.
ITV executives will testify before the Commons Culture, Media, and Sport Committee before the serial opera awards.
They were already scheduled to appear before the committee to debate the draught Media Bill. But have been warned to also expect to be questioned about the Schofield scandal.
The external evaluation
ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall announced the external review in a letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, Culture, Media, and Sport Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, and Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes.
“You have likely seen the extensive media coverage of Phillip Schofield,” she wrote. As you would anticipate, we have reviewed our records over the weekend and take this matter very seriously.
We kept questioning both sides, who refuted the rumours as recently as this month.
“There have been numerous inaccuracies in the reporting, so I thought it would be helpful to present the facts.”
She said ITV ordered Jane Mulcahy KC of Blackstone Chambers to “conduct an external investigation to determine the truth.”
