This Morning star steps down to focus on ‘family priorities’
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Martin Frizell has resigned from his position as the editor of ITV's This Morning after a decade in the role.
He became the editor of Loose Women in 2014 and later took charge of the well-liked program that was previously hosted by Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby until last year. He is set to depart from the show in the spring of 2025, and ITV has mentioned that they will reveal his successor at a later date.
The announcement follows the revelation by Frizell’s wife, Fiona Phillips, a former ITV presenter, that she received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in July 2023. The pair has been married since 1997 and have two children together.
Frizell acknowledged that his decision to leave was related to his home commitments, stating, "I'm anticipating that my family priorities will shift next year, so I need to make time for them."
"I have a great fondness for my colleagues at ITV and I will definitely miss them, as well as the excitement of live television. However, working in this field requires constant dedication—24 hours a day, seven days a week—and I realize that I can’t manage both commitments."
He expressed his gratitude to the team he collaborated with, stating, “It’s been an honor to guide such talented presenters and producers. Together, we’ve created over six thousand hours of live television, which amounts to about 20,000 segments. Receiving awards is always a nice bonus too.”
During his tenure, the program garnered multiple accolades, such as a Bafta and seven National Television Awards. By 2024, it attracted more than 20 million viewers.
He mentioned campaigns focused on suicide prevention, menopause awareness, and testicular cancer as the projects he felt most accomplished about.
"This giant represents the ultimate challenge for any broadcast journalist," he remarked.
Kevin Lygo, ITV’s director of media and entertainment, stated, “This Morning is a landmark program in ITV's lineup. Leading the team for ten years and delivering over ten hours of fresh, relevant, live television each week is an incredible accomplishment."
As both a program and a brand, Martin has ensured that the show remains widely recognized, earning accolades and becoming a key fixture on television while also expanding its successful presence in digital platforms and social media.
“Speaking for the ITV Network, we want to express our gratitude to Martin and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
