PHIL SET TO QUIT?

As Phillip Schofield’s TV clock starts ticking, there’s a blue-eyed boy waiting in the wings – and the fans love him

Beaming like a ray of light from the screen, Vernon Kay’s charm and charismatic good looks sparked an outpouring of praise when he hosted ITV’s This Morning earlier this month.

The 47-year-old presented the show alongside Rochelle Humes as veteran host Phillip Schofield, 59, had been struck down with COVID-19.

But it seems Vernon’s popularity, which has been building since he made his debut on the show in December, is proving to be a wake-up call for the man once dubbed the ‘silver fox’.

With whispers that Phil’s 20-year reign on the show might be drawing to a close and with producers testing new presenters, could Vernon be the new face they’ve been looking for?

Although Phil is back on the sofa for now, in the past the star has talked about leaving, joking that he might retrain as a paramedic. Vernon would be a popular replacement and, looking at social media, it would seem the fans have already spoken.