This Morning editor Martin Frizell is quitting the ITV show after a decade.
The producer, who is reportedly the show’s longest-serving editor, confirmed he will depart the show next year, having first joined ITV in 2014 as editor of Loose Women.
“Next year I’m expecting my family priorities to change so I need to free up time for them,” Frizell said in a statement (via The Sun).
“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.
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“It’s been a privilege to lead truly great presenters and producers, between us we’ve turned out more than 6,000 hours of live topical telly, that’s around 20,000 items and whilst the gongs are always nice I’m most proud of the change we made to so many lives, even saving a fair few with our campaigns on anti suicide, menopause, testicular cancer and ‘how to’ items.”
Frizell, who is married to Fiona Phillips, added: “This juggernaut is the toughest test for any broadcast journalist.”
ITV boss Kevin Lygo paid tribute to Frizell, saying that “producing more than 10 hours of original, topical, live television every week is an amazing achievement”.
Lygo added: “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.
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“On behalf of the ITV network, we thank Martin and wish him the very best for his future ventures.”
Frizell’s exit comes after a year and a half of overhaul at This Morning, notably the exits of Phillip Schofield – who left after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague that he described as “unwise but not illegal” – and Holly Willoughby later in 2023.
Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley replaced the pair as main presenters earlier this year.
The show was also subject to claims over its work culture, though an external review ruled last year that there was “no finding of a ‘toxic’ culture”, while also saying that ITV was unable to uncover the truth over the Schofield affair in 2019 despite “considerable efforts”.
This Morning airs Mondays through Fridays on ITV1 and ITVX.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.
