ITV has confirmed that it is commissioning an external review into Phillip Schofield’s controversial departure from This Morning.
It comes after the 61-year-old announced back on 20 May that he was to step down from presenting the ITV daytime show with immediate effect, after first taking over presenting reins in 2002 and fronting the programme for the past 21 years.
Alongside co-presenter Holly Willoughby, Schofield became a well-known face on daytime television and went on to win numerous awards for his presenting work over the past two decades – but rumours began swirling that his professional relationship and off-screen friendship with Willoughby had soured.
Schofield explained that the unconfirmed rift between himself and his co-presenter, as well as the fact “This Morning itself has become the story”, lead to his decision to depart to the show.
Schofield’s stepping down from the presenting role also comes after he had taken several weeks off-air recently – some as pre-planned leave, and some while his brother, Timothy Schofield, faced trial for sexual abuse against a teenage boy.
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Phillip Schofield had presented the daytime TV show since 2002 before stepping down / Credit: ITV
Following his already-controversial exit, Schofield then issued a formal statement confirming he had an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague last Friday, and resigned from ITV all together after admitting to both the affair, and to lying about it.
ITV has now confirmed it has now instructed a barrister to carry out an external review into the situation to “establish the facts”.
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Ahead of the broadcaster’s executives appearing before the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committe next week, and being quizzed by MPs over their handling of the situation at This Morning, ITV’s Dame Carolyn McCall said in a letter – as seen by the PA News Agency, and reported by Sky News, BBC News, ITV News, and more – said they are taking the matter “extremely seriously”.
ITV has commissioned an external review into the presenter’s controversial This Morning exit / Credit: ITV
She wrote: “You will have seen the significant media coverage concerning Phillip Schofield [and] as you would expect, we take the matter extremely seriously and have reviewed our own records over the weekend.
“Given the ongoing rumours, we continued to ask questions of both parties, who both continued to deny the rumours, including as recently as this month.
“There has been a lot of inaccuracy in the reporting so I thought it would be useful to set out some facts.”
Featured Image – Ken McKay (via ITV)
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What’s going down between Aitch and Central Cee?
Thomas Melia
The UK music world has been taken by storm over the weekend as two of the nation’s favourite rappers, Aitch and Central Cee are now feuding.
Pop culture wouldn’t be the same without its iconic feuds and what better way to resolve it than by the medium of… you guessed it, more music.
Aitch is one of Manchester’s most promising acts with hit songs like ‘Rain’ which features AJ Tracey, ‘My G’ a collaboration with Ed Sheeran and ‘Baby’ which samples Ashanti’s track of the same name.
Shepherd’s Bush born Central Cee has seen similar success, with songs like ‘Doja’, ‘Sprinter’ a joint stint with Dave and ‘Did It First’ where he shares a credit with Ice Spice.
Now, both artists are back in the spotlight as they’re firing shots at each other for all the world to see.
If Drake and Kendrick set the tone for the American rap game, Aitch and Central Cee are definitely front and centre in the UK scene.
Aitch and Central Cee: A Timeline
26 July 2020 – ‘Molly’
During his rise to fame, Central Cee understands the hard work and efforts that fellow rapper Aitch has put into his career, addressing it in one of his first releases titled ‘Molly’.
The rapper, also known as Cench, shouts out the Manchester star praising, “Man said 21 with a mill (Swear) / I need the same deal as Aitch’s”.
This is a direct reference to Aitch’s line in ‘Raw’, “Hands up if you made a mill before 21, gang (Gang, gang)”, which was only released two months prior in May 2020.
21 February 2022 – The Face Launch Issue 010
The two can be seen smiling it up in West Hollywood as both were invited and attended an exclusive launch party for British magazine The Face.
Cee can be seen sporting Italian luxury clothing brand, Moncler, while Aitch is dressed in a fit from American apparel company, Von Dutch.
This launch party celebrated Cench’s cover story and even warranted a performance from the London musician.
We can’t get pictures in the article but a quick google of ‘Aitch Central Cee The Face Launch’ will show you a few candids of the two stars.
Aitch wins ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’ at the 43rd edition of the UK’s biggest music award show, The BRITs, a category where Central Cee was also nominated.
The Manchester rap star received his award from footballer Declan Rice and the intro to ‘A Guy Called?’ incorporates the very moment when the Arsenal midfielder announced his victory.
10 March 2024 – ‘5 Star’ Snippet
Central Cee took to Instagram to reveal ‘New music after Ramadan.’ posting a selection of pictures in various locations such as the studio and even outside a shop window holding a crate of prime with KSI.
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The seventh slide in this photo dump is a voice memo which contains a snippet of ‘5 Star’, although at the time fans were none the wiser.
Both the UK stars attended the launch of famous burger chain Archie’s latest venture in the Trafford Centre, although not much is known on their interaction at the event.
In a video posted to the official Instagram account relating to the roller rink site ‘Archie’s Atomic’, it’s safe to say Aitch’s answer to ‘Freestyle or sing’ makes a lot of sense, following his latest track.
Much like ‘A Guy Called?’, it’s clear that Aitch really does love a good freestyle.
Just one day before the release of Central Cee’s debut album he achieved three nominations including ‘British Artist of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’ and that infamous ‘Best Hip Hop/ Grime Act’.
24 January 2025– ‘5 Star’ and ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’
2025 may have just began but the anticipation for this album has been high, especially since the first single for the record came all the way back in May courtesy of ‘Band4Band’, a link up with Lil Baby.
The latest single from ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS, Central Cee’s debut album is ‘GBP’ but the track that’s really got everybody talking is ‘5 Star’.
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Central Cee for latest record ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’Credit: Sony Music
On the second track of the LP, Cench directly hits out at the Moston boy spitting “I felt like a prick when I went to the BRITs and they gave the award to a guy called Aitch”.
He doubles down on this in the following line explaining, “I had my acceptance speech prepared like, “Long live F’s”, I’m goin’ insane / And free all the guys inside of the cage”.
‘5 Star’ even calls back to the album’s title as in the chorus the London based rapper warns, “Should know that you can’t rush greatness / But you’re too impatient”.
24 January 2025 – ‘A Guy Called?’
Aitch didn’t waste any time as by 4pm the same day his reply was broadcast to the world and it addresses some cultural moments a lot of fans will remember, including previous relationships.
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One of the most prominent bars in the one-off single is “(Yo, uncs) We can go bar for bar, BRIT for BRIT, punch for punch (Bah)”.
Not only does this quote the BRIT award show, it also references and incorporates the same melody as Central Cee’s ‘Band4Band’.
Right after this, ‘A Guy Called?’ also fires shots at one of Cench’s closest companions, “All your songs get wrote by Clint”, an esteemed fashion designer and owner of streetwear brand Corteiz.
Aitch for previous single ‘Famous Girl’ released last year.
The artwork for the diss track shows some wall art which reads ‘The world via Manchester’ and in front of it, of course, is that all too important BRIT award figure.
To close the diss track he even samples Central Cee’s previously mentioned 2020 hit ‘Molly’ which kickstarted our great big UK rap beef timeline.
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Aitch’s Instagram post of this song which is captioned ‘Leave me alone.’ got a response from the man in question, Central Cee, who replied ‘Fair enough’ alongside a laughing emoji and a fire emoji.
There’s no cold shoulder here either as later on in the almost three minute long number Aitch reassures fellow feuder, “Little boy is just there to be spun, gettin’ mad at the BRITs, there’s bare to be won (On God)”.
25 January 2025 – Central Cee x Corteiz
One day after the release of his album and Aitch’s response ‘A Guy Called?’, Central Cee drops a limited edition tee which merges the title ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’ with the usual Corteiz branding.
This isn’t verified by either party however with Aitch calling out the owner of Corteiz, Clint, it would be a perfect way for Central Cee to clap back at Moston’s finest.
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It’s so limited edition, the link to it on the website shows the shirt has already sold out.
Good thing Cench posted the design to his social media account surrounded by a crew of buddies all kitted out in the same in-demand streetwear including masks.
Central Cee announces his first ever UK arena tour including a stop in Manchester later this year, maybe this could be a chance for the two to reconnect?
Or given how much Aitch loves to make a guest appearance wherever he can, there’s a possibility they could resolve their differences on stage in front of 23,500 fans.
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What’s next?
Everyone may be wondering what comes next, don’t worry we have no idea either!
What we do know is that both artists involved in this ‘beef’ which is playing out over social media are known for their much loved and well-recited melodies.
At the end of the day, these are two very respectable rappers and it can be so easy to get caught up in the drama and forget the reason everyone enjoys each artist, for their music.
Featured Images:Jack Bridgland (Central Cee) and Publicity Picture (Aitch)
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Central Cee announces HUGE gig in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
London rapper Central Cee has just announced a mega Manchester gig date set for this year which will be nothing short of stellar.
After dropping his debut album just last week, Central Cee (also known as Cench), has now released dates for his first ever UK arena tour.
2025 may have only just started but Central Cee is making sure to celebrate his successes in style and now he’s bringing his fans along for the ride too.
Known for hits like viral track ‘Doja’, Lil Baby link up ‘Band4Band’ and Dave collaboration ‘Sprinter’, Cench is no stranger to a hit record or two.
There was a time on social media platform TikTok, where you couldn’t open the app before hearing the well-known and widely referenced lyric, “How can I be homophobic? My B*tch is Gay.”
The Shepherd’s Bush superstar is packaging his all too familiar drill beats alongside his first LP ‘CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS’ and turning all these tunes into a highly anticipated world tour.
Our UK native made sure he’s stopping off at various cities up and down the country as well as Manchester including Birmingham, London, Glasgow and just over the pond with a slot in Dublin too.
Alongside a roster of stacked singles and collaborations, Cench is also known for his signature tag which he likes to fit into all of his songs; “Alright.”
Central Cee, who’s real name is Oakley, has dropped a select number of shows in America too. He’s already familiar with this nation after appearing on US rapper Ice Spice’s ‘Did It First’ last October.
So far, the drill artist’s first album has four singles with one of the latest ‘GBP’, a collaboration with 21 Savage, receiving a music video less than two weeks ago.
Central Cee is bringing his ‘Can’t Rush Greatness Tour’ to Co-op Live in Manchester on 19 April. Co-op members can access tickets from 29 January with general onsale taking place on 31 January from 10am HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
1st June 2023 
