Schofield resigns from ITV after admitting to ‘unwise, but not illegal’ affair
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hillip Schofield has resigned from ITV – and has been dropped by his expertise company – after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning.
A spokesperson for ITV mentioned the broadcaster was “deeply disappointed” by the “admissions of deceit” made by Schofield after the presenter admitted to the affair in an announcement printed by the Daily Mail on Friday.
The veteran TV presenter, 61, mentioned that the affair started whereas he was nonetheless together with his spouse Stephanie, including he was “very, very sorry” for having been untrue to her.
It comes after he introduced he was stepping down from presenting the ITV speak present with “immediate effect” final weekend, whereas co-presenter Holly Willoughby will stay on the programme.
Schofield, who additionally co-hosted Dancing On Ice with Willoughby, mentioned he would additionally step down from presenting the British Soap Awards, his final public dedication.
The assertion from ITV mentioned that the broadcaster feels “badly let down”.
“We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.
“Phillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.
In his statement, Schofield apologised for lying about the relationship.
“The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them (the Daily Mail), and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning,” he mentioned.
“I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
He added that “contrary to speculation” the connection was “not illegal”.
He mentioned: “Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship.
“That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.”
He denied {that a} superinjunction had been issued by him, or on his behalf, concerning the connection.
“When I chose to come out I did so entirely for my own wellbeing,” he mentioned.
This week, now we have discovered vital new details about our shopper Phillip Schofield. These details contradicted what Phillip had beforehand advised YMU, in addition to the exterior advisors we had introduced in to help him. As a end result, on Thursday we agreed to half firm with Phillip, with instant impact
“Nobody ‘forced’ me out. Neither I nor anyone else, to my knowledge, has ever issued an injunction, super or otherwise, about my relationship with this colleague, he was never moved on or sacked by or because of me.
“In an effort to protect my ex-colleague I haven’t been truthful about the relationship. But my recent, unrelated, departure from This Morning fuelled speculation and raised questions which have been impacting him, so for his sake it is important for me to be honest now.”
The presenter added: “I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public, and most importantly of all to my family.
“I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife.”
Talent company YMU mentioned it has “parted company” with Schofield “with immediate effect”.
The revelations come after Schofield confronted months of controversy together with studies of a rift together with his long-time co-host Willoughby, his brother’s intercourse abuse trial and a furore over his go to to the late Queen’s lying-in-state.
Schofield married Stephanie Lowe in 1993 they usually have two grown-up daughters collectively, Ruby and Molly.
After he got here out in February 2020, in an emotional on-air chat with Willoughby, his spouse advised The Sun she supported his “brave step” and “always will” love him.
She additionally mentioned: “Our family has also been so supportive and will help us going forward.”