Stressed: Phillip Schofield, pictured on the Dancing On Ice set, has been dashing from the studios to be with his father

The popular TV presenter is taking time out of hosting This Morning to be with his sick father Brian, 72.

Over the last few weeks, Schofield, 45, has been dashing from the ITV studios for This Morning and Dancing On Ice to be at his father's bedside at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.

On Friday, Brian left hospital and returned to his Henley-on-Thames home in Oxfordshire, where he is being cared for by his wife Pat, 71, and other family members.

Phillip has been noticeably absent on the This Morning sofa over the past week so the show's Friday host Ruth Langsford's partner Eamonn Holmes has stepped in to share presenting duties with Fern Britton.

On this morning's episode of the show, Ruth and Eamonn sent their best wishes to Phillip and his family.

Ruth said Phillip was on leave to care for his father and they had already received tons of messages of support from viewers.

French polisher Brian has a history of illness - in 1981, he suffered a heart attack.

A spokesperson for This Morning said: "Phillip's father has been very ill. The family have been with him constantly and he is now home."

A patient at the hospital told The Sun: "It has been heart-warming to see Phillip caring for his dad. It's an inspiration.

"One minute he'd be giving a flawless performance on Dancing On Ice and 40 minutes later he'd be climbing into a put-up bed by his dad's side.

"It's obvious they share a deep bond."

Best wishes: Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes send their love to Phillip Schofield and his family on This Morning today