Phillip Schofields replacement for the British Soap Awards has been announced following his exit from This Morning and ITV.
Singer and TV presenter Jane McDonald will take over hosting duties for the show. The 60-year-old is best known for presenting the Channel 5 series Cruising With Jane and has also appeared on Loose Women on numerous occasions.
Jane said in a statement: "Oh my god…..everyone knows how much I LOVE my soaps, this year I've been honoured to be mentioned in Corrie, EastEnders and Emmerdale, so this is just a dream come true. I can't wait to see all our wonderful soap nominees and celebrate all their hard work with them - roll on the awards, I can't wait!"
Taking to Twitter, she added: "I'm so excited to be this years host for The British Soap Awards!! I LOVE my soaps, so this is just a dream come true. I can’t wait to see all our wonderful soap nominees and celebrate all their hard work with them - roll on the awards! Tuesday, 8pm, @ITV & @ITVX."
© ITV/ShutterstockFans were quick to express their excitement on social media, with one person writing: "Jane McDonald hosting the soap awards is fantastic news," while another added: "Jane McDonald replacing Phillip as host of the soap awards is the casting decision of the year! A true woman of the people! It's her time."
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The ceremony will take place at The Lowry in Salford on Saturday 3 June but will air on ITV and ITVX on Tuesday, June 6.
© REX/ShutterstockThe show will celebrate the nation's biggest soap operas, with Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks battling it out to win recognition for their work over the past year.
It comes after Phillip Schofield stepped down from ITV after he admitted to an affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning. He has also been dropped by his talent agency YMU.
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Phillip, 61, said he was "deeply sorry" for lying about the relationship to ITV, his colleagues, friends and agents.
© Shutterstock"That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over," he said.
© GettyIn a recent interview with GB News' Dan Wootton, former This Morning star Eamonn Holmes claimed that there was a "total cover-up" over Phillip's affair on the show.
"It's a total cover-up," he said.
© GB News"Those in authority had to know what was going on and they thought they would dodge a bullet with this which they do and they do constantly."
After This Morning came under fire with claims of "toxicity", Phillip defended the programme. "I hope you have noticed that it's the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice," he said.
Eamonn addressed the comments during his interview, saying: "I think that Phillip is absolutely right about toxicity.
© Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock"But my friend, the toxicity is not with me, Dan Wootton, or anyone else, the toxicity is with you."
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