Emotions ran high on This Morning as Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson bid an emotional farewell to the show’s longtime editor, Martin Frizell.
After ten years at the helm of the ITV daytime program, Martin officially stepped down,
prompting a heartfelt tribute from the presenters, who credited him for shaping their careers.
Alison and Josie’s Tearful Tribute
During a moving segment, Alison and Josie urged Martin to join them on the famous This Morning sofa for a well-deserved send-off.
The pair, who have become fan-favorite hosts, spoke candidly about Martin’s impact on their journeys in
television
.
Struggling to hold back tears, Alison expressed her deep gratitude:
“He’s the one that took a chance on us, transforming mine and Josie’s careers. It’s an incredible opportunity, and we just want to say thank you very much. We love you.”
She continued, speaking on behalf of the entire This Morning team:
“We think you are incredible, and we are so sad to see you go.”
Josie, equally emotional, echoed Alison’s sentiments, acknowledging how much Martin’s belief in her had shaped her confidence as a presenter:
“I just want to say thank you so much because you believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. You grew me as a presenter, and I just can’t thank you enough.”
Martin Frizell’s Response and Humble Farewell
Despite the touching farewell, Martin remained modest, responding warmly to the praise from the presenters.
“If you were rubbish, you wouldn’t be on telly,” he reassured them, adding, “You’re very good. It has been a great ride and a fantastic time.”
His words reflected the strong bond he had formed with the This Morning team over the past decade.
A Special Yet Bittersweet Day on This Morning
Earlier in the show, Josie had already prepared viewers for an emotional episode, describing Martin’s departure as a “very special day and a very sad day.” She reminded the audience that Martin had taken charge of the day’s playlist, ensuring the episode had a personal touch.
As Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like A Woman! played in the background, Alison praised his music taste, saying, “He’s got quite good taste, our editor.”
Josie playfully agreed, adding:
“He has got good taste. Well, he employs us!”
Alison laughed, replying: “Very true! Good point, babe, good point.”
Why Martin Frizell is Leaving This Morning
Martin Frizell had previously announced his decision to step down in November 2024, citing personal reasons. The 66-year-old editor revealed he wanted to dedicate more time to his family, particularly his wife, renowned
TV
journalist Fiona Phillips, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2022.
Explaining his departure, Martin shared:
“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.”
Martin Frizell’s Legacy on This Morning
Reflecting on his tenure, Martin acknowledged the show’s immense impact, both on the presenters and the audience.
“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,” he noted.
He went on to highlight the significant campaigns This Morning had championed under his leadership:
“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. This juggernaut is the toughest test for any broadcast journalist.”
End of an Era for This Morning
Martin Frizell’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for This Morning. Having overseen some of the show’s most memorable moments, from heartwarming surprises to hard-hitting campaigns, he leaves behind an impressive legacy.
For Alison, Josie, and the rest of the This Morning team, it was a day of mixed emotions—saying goodbye to a leader who had believed in them while celebrating his incredible contributions to daytime
television
.
As Martin moves forward to focus on his family, his influence on This Morning will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.