Richard Madeley has revealed he ‘feels very sorry’ for Phillip Schofield after his ‘savage’ ITV exit.

The former This Morning host is still in touch with his successor on the ITV show, and he has given his thoughts after the 61-year-old presenter’s departure from the daytime TV show.

Back in May, Schofield left after admitting to lying about an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a much younger colleague.

‘I feel very sorry for Phillip – it seemed a pretty savage outcome after 21 years (in the job),’ Richard 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 compared the TV world to politics, with people ‘only one debate away from a catastrophe’.

He added: ‘We’ve all been through terrible experiences and the worst ones are the [ones] 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 despite being back on ITV co-hosting Good Morning Britain – which airs before Lorraine and This Morning every week day – he has no desire to replace Schofield on the sofa.

‘I enjoyed it but wouldn’t go back,’ he said.

It was recently reported that GMB star Ben Shephard has emerged as a frontrunner to become permanent host alongside Holly Willoughby after the likes of Josie Gibson, Alison Hammond and Andi Peters have also stepped in.

In his BBC interview earlier this year, Schofield credited his daughters- Molly, 29, and Ruby, 27 – for saving his life after he suffered suicidal thoughts.

He also revealed his wife was ‘very, very angry’ when he confessed about the affair after he had lied and insisted his younger lover was just a friend and colleague.

The presenter continues to wear his wedding ring despite coming out as gay more than three years ago.

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