ITV investigated ‘rumours of relationship’ between Phillip Schofield and younger worker – however pair ‘repeatedly denied’ affair

ITV has mentioned it investigated “rumours of a relationship” between Phillip Schofield and a youthful worker – however the pair “repeatedly denied” the affair.

The assertion got here after questions had been raised over what network bosses knew in regards to the conduct of the veteran broadcaster.

Fellow former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes had mentioned Schofield was “not the only guilty party” and claimed high administration “knew what sort of man he was”.

Holmes spoke out after veteran broadcaster Schofield admitted having an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a a lot youthful male ITV worker whereas nonetheless married and mendacity about it.

Writing on Twitter, Holmes mentioned: “Schofield has finally been caught out… But he’s not the only guilty party. 4 high members of ITV management knew what sort of man he was.”

Schofield stop the broadcaster on Friday.

His confession got here in a press release revealed within the Daily Mail shortly earlier than his brokers, YMU, additionally revealed they were parting company with him with immediate effect.

In response to mounting stress on the broadcaster, an ITV spokesperson mentioned: “Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.

“Both events had been questioned and each categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then company YMU.

“In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.

“Phillip’s assertion yesterday reveals that he lied to individuals at ITV, from senior administration to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship.”

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In one other Twitter submit, Holmes referred to how Schofield apparently lied to him and his spouse, presenter Ruth Langsford.

He added: “Ruth and I deceived and lied to. One day I will tell the story. We had no issue with him being gay, only support.

“What transpired took us for fools. The man informed us full lies and we sadly believed him.”

Separately, BBC presenter and former ITV newscaster Andrea Catherwood tweeted: “Much more questions on who knew what when at ITV to be answered after this…”

Dermot O’Leary, who has been tipped to replace the former This Morning star said: “It’s not acceptable for me to remark.”

Schofield, 61, left the daytime show last week.

‘It is now over’

In a press release on Friday, Schofield mentioned he was “deeply sorry” for mendacity in regards to the relationship.

He mentioned: “I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.

“Contrary to hypothesis, while I met the person when he was a youngster and was requested to assist him to get into tv, it was solely after he began to work on the present that it turned greater than only a friendship.

“That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.”

It is known the youthful colleague, who just isn’t a public determine, didn’t need the connection to be made public.

Read extra:
Schofield leaves This Morning after more than 20 years
Timeline of departure and rumours of rift with co-host Holly
Statements from presenter and his agents in full

The affair befell earlier than Mr Schofield publicly got here out as homosexual in 2020, and whereas he was nonetheless married to his spouse Stephanie Lowe.

In a damning assertion, his former brokers YMU Group said “honesty and integrity” were core values of their business and that their relationships are “based entirely on trust”.

Schofield’s exit from This Morning got here after weeks of rumours of a rift between him and his co-presenter Holly Willoughby.

Reports of behind-the-scenes issues between the pair surfaced after his brother Tim Schofield was convicted of kid intercourse offences.