Viewers rushed to social media to share their shock as ITV aired an episode of Family Fortunes with a rather “awkward” This Morning-themed question.
In case you missed it, Phillip Schofield announced this past weekend that he was to step down from presenting the ITV daytime show, This Morning, with immediate effect after fronting the programme for the past 21 years.
The 61-year-old first took the presenting reins of the show back in 2002.
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 in recent weeks, rumours began swirling within the media that his professional relationship and off-screen friendship with Willoughby has soured.
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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Viewers in shock as ITV airs ‘awkward’ This Morning presenters question on Family Fortunes / Credit: ITV
So, as you can gather, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind few weeks for Schofield and This Morning – which is probably why viewers who tuned in to watch a scheduled episode of Family Fortunes yesterday evening were shocked to see contestants asked a question about This Morning presenters.
In typical Family Fortunes question style, host Gino D’Acampo asked the contestants to “name someone who appears on the TV show This Morning”.
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The coincidental (or not?) timing of the pre-filmed episode with that question in being aired seems to be what shocked viewers most though, as it’s probably not that shocking to find that the top two answers to the question where, of course, Phil and Holly.
And this irony didn’t go unnoticed on social media.
Oh god #FamilyFortunes on ITV just had the question “name somebody who regularly appears on the TV show This Morning.”
The top answers were Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
TV critic Scott Bryan said: “Oh god Family Fortunes on ITV just had the question ‘name somebody who regularly appears on the TV show This Morning.’ The top answers were Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.”
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Another viewer aptly called it “bad timing”.
“Unfortunate choice of Family Fortunes category tonight,” a third person said on Twitter, while a fourth added: “This is awkward. Family Fortunes got a question about This Morning, oh Lord and Philip Schofield is the spot prize…”
One viewer also questioned: “I wonder if Phillip Schofield is watching Family Fortunes right now?”
Question on #FamilyFortunes right now: "Name somebody who regularly appears on the TV show This Morning"
ITV couldn't have chosen a better weekend to air this episode if they tried! 😂 #ThisMorning
Addressing Schofield’s departure from This Morning, Kevin Lygo – Managing Director of Media and Entertainment at ITV – said in a statement over the weekend: “Phillip is hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation and we thank him for his two decades worth of absolutely terrific television on the This Morning sofa.
“This Morning is made by one of the best and most diligent teams in television, who produce over 12 hours of live television each week.
“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Phillip starting with The British Soap Awards in June and a brand new peak time series to come.”
Featured Image – ITV
TV & Showbiz
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear diagnosed with dementia
Danny Jones
Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, who famously played the iconic character Bet Lynch for over 25 years, has sadly been diagnosed with dementia.
Issuing a statement via ITV, her husband Scott Brand confirmed that they had been given the “heartbreaking diagnosis” this week.
Goodyear, 81, played the legendary Rovers Return pub landlord for over two decades across two different spells on the show, starting in 1966 before leaving the show for good in 1995.
Brand told the outlet on Wednesday: “Unfortunately, Julie has been suffering forgetfulness for some time and we have been seeking medical advice and assistance, but we now know that there is no hope of a reversal in the situation – and that her condition will get progressively, and perhaps speedily, worse.”
Coronation Street's Julie Goodyear is suffering with dementia, her husband has revealed.https://t.co/4CZwt5KbGJ
— ITV Granada Reports (@GranadaReports) June 7, 2023
Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia at the age of 81.
He went on to say that he and Goodyear “have taken the decision to publicly announce the diagnosis as Julie still loves visiting friends and eating out”, noting that she inevitably gets recognised “and fans love to meet her – and she them – but she can get confused particularly if she is tired” and adding they “hope people will understand.”
The Manc soap star and household name is from Heywood in Rochdale and retired from acting in 2003 after making her final special appearance on the Coronation Street spin-off, After Hours.
Fans baffled as Arctic Monkeys spotted boozing in a Manchester Wetherspoons
Daisy Jackson
We all know by now that Arctic Monkeys were in Manchester over the weekend, with two sold-out shows at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.
But what many people weren’t expecting is for the rockstars to pop up in a pretty well-known pub in the city centre.
And they didn’t pick some cool trendy craft beer bar – nope, these lads went for the cheapest option possible.
Two members of Arctic Monkeys were spotted nursing pints outside The Moon Under Water, of all places, between performing to 50,000-strong crowds.
Fans stopped to take pictures with bassist Nick O’Malley and guitarist Jamie Cook, as well as touring band member Tom Rowley, at the Wetherspoons pub on Deansgate.
People have all been pretty bemused by their choice of watering hole, unsurprisingly.
One person wrote: “You’re not telling me Arctic Monkeys are having a booze in the Moon Under The Water on Deansgate hahahaha.”
Another said: “Imagine bumping into some of the monkeys in a Wetherspoons hahaha.”
Someone else pointed out: “Biggest band in the country and they’re drinking carling in spoons.”
It’s also drawn comparisons to the iconic ‘Four lads in jeans’ meme.
It’s the second weird celebrity sighting this week, after Pink was spotted swinging her way around Total Ninja in Trafford Park at her daughter’s 12 birthday party.
Pink is about to perform two huge shows at the University of Bolton stadium in Greater Manchester.
Arctic Monkeys were pictured over a sunny weekend in Manchester, where they’d performed two gigs in Trafford.
The Sheffield band’s triumphant return will peak later this week when they perform in their hometown at Hillsborough Park.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd May 2023 
