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
Liam Gallagher says he turned down an offer to be on The Celebrity Traitors… and the reason why is baffling
Emily Sergeant
Liam Gallagher says he turned down an offer to be on The Celebrity Traitors… but the reason why is not what you’d expect.
It’d be easy enough to imagine the Oasis frontman saying no to a trip to the castle due to work commitments, or maybe because he’s just wanting to rest up ahead the massive Oasis Live ’27 tour next year, but surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly… this is Liam Gallagher we’re talking about, after all) that isn’t the case.
If you’ve never seen The Celebrity Traitors before, it’s a spinoff of the wildly popular main series, The Traitors, and it sees famous faces take part in the ultimate test of deceit and betrayal.
Some of the celebrities taking part this series include Richard E Grant, Miranda Hart, James Blunt, Maya Jama, James Acaster, and more as part of a stacked lineup.
A stacked lineup that Liam Gallagher would undeniably have been a very entertaining part of, but despite this, the rockstar has revealed that not only did he receive an offer to appear on the show, he actually turned it down.
@starshapedcarab I’ve been asked it’s not my thing I’m not a celebrity
Answering a fan’s comment on Twitter this week, Liam confirmed that he had received an offer but it wasn’t really his ‘thing’.
The tweet in question declared: “They should put Liam [Gallagher] on Celebrity Traitors”, to which Gallagher replied: “I’ve been asked [but] it’s not my thing.”
After offering up reason of it not being his ‘thing’ as to why he turned the show down, he then followed up with a slightly more baffling explanation too: “I’m not a celebrity,” he concluded.
We can only assume the denial of celebrity status is due to the fact that Liam doesn’t like the word, and not because he doesn’t consider himself to be famous, as coming off the back of the globally successful Oasis Live ’25 tour and ahead of the upcoming Oasis Live ’27, the band arguably couldn’t be more of a household name.
Many of the comments in response to Liam’s declaration point out that he could be a contestant on the normal BBC series instead, if he doesn’t consider himself a ‘celebrity’. Others also made sure to note that he appeared on an episode of Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox, so he didn’t appear to have an issue with the word then.
So, will LG ever change his mind then? Only time will tell.
Featured Image – BBC & Joshua Halling
TV & Showbiz
Greg Davies and Alex Horne to host Taskmaster live on stage in Manchester
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Think you’ve got what it takes to impress the Taskmaster?
Global comedy gameshow sensation, Taskmaster, is set to bring its multi award-winning chaos to Manchester next year, as its first (and only) UK performance ever. Aren’t we lucky?
Following the show‘s roaring success in the USA earlier this year, Taskmaster Live On Stage is set to return in 2027, for two shows only – one taking over our very-own AO Arena, and the other being held at the iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Audiences can expect a high-energy and hilarious show from the one and only Taskmaster, Greg Davies, and his trusty sidekick Alex Horne, joined by some very special celebrity guests as live contestants.
To give you a flavour of what’s to come, Taskmaster Live On Stage was previously joined by comedians such as Jason Manztoukas, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, and Lisa Gilroy, so we can expect a similar star-studded special guestlist next year.
Alongside three celebrities, the remaining live contestant places will be available to two lucky audience members, who will have a chance to impress the Taskmaster.
Don’t worry if you’re not selected though, as there’ll also be brand-new special stage tasks for the entire audience to get involved with, and the Taskmaster will then judge the efforts of these brave souls to crown one as the Mancunian Taskmaster Live On Stage Champion – quite the mouthful, we know.
“I am thrilled that my tiny assistant and I are to bring Taskmaster to such illustrious venues,” commented Taskmaster Greg Davies.
“Whilst on one hand it feels daunting, on the other it feels like destiny. Rest assured my judgements will remain even handed and every effort will be made for everyone to have a good time, except Alex.”
Taskmaster Live On Stage will be coming to Manchester’s AO Arena next May.
Pre-sale tickets will be exclusively offered to the Taskmaster mailing list on 14 October, while general sale tickets will be released on Friday 16 October, and you can sign up to the mailing list for pre-sale access HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd May 2023 
