ITV This Morning boss 'steps down' after 10 years as co-stars 'shocked'

This Morning (Image: ITV)

Martin Frizell is stepping down from This Morning after 10 years, it has been reported.

The 65-year-old joined ITV in 2014 when he became the editor of Loose Women before taking over at This Morning.

Frizell, who is married to former GMTV presenter Fiona Phillips, revealed he needs to prioritise his family as he announced his departure. 

Frizell said in a statement: "Next year I'm expecting my family priorities to change so I need to free up time for them.

"I love my team at ITV and will miss them and the thrill of live telly but it's an always on, 24 hours a day, seven days a week commitment and I won't be able to do both."

He added: "It's been a privilege to lead truly great presenters and producers, between us we've turned out more than six thousand hours of live topical telly, that's around 20,000 items and the gongs are always nice."

Frizell described his pride in campaigns which have changed lives, including subjects such as suicide, menopause, testicular cancer, concluding: "This juggernaut is the toughest test for any broadcast journalist."

Speaking about Frizell's upcoming departure, Kevin Lygo, ITV's managing director for media and entertainment, said: "This Morning is an iconic show in ITV's schedule, and heading the team for a decade, producing more than ten hours of original, topical, live television every week is an amazing achievement.

"As a programme and a brand, Martin has made sure the show continues to be a household name, an award-winning staple of the schedule with a growing successful presence in digital and social.

"On behalf of the ITV Network, we thank Martin and wish him the very best for his future ventures."

An ITV source said: "It is the 24/7 nature of the role which isn’t conducive to Fiona’s illness and next year he thinks that he is going to have to be around so much more for her.

"His family commitments are about to change and he needs a job that can blend into that rather than a job which takes over his entire life."

A source told The Sun: "It's a real shock to everyone on the show - he's been working there for so long.

"Nobody saw it coming at all. As far as everyone knows they have nobody lined up to replace him either."

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