Phillip Schofield’s younger lover ‘was simply 15 once they first met’

The youthful colleague with whom Phillip Schofield admitted to having an affair was reportedly 15 years previous when the pair first met.

Ex-This Morning star Schofield first met his future colleague whereas he was giving a chat at a theatre faculty, in keeping with a nationwide newspaper.

The report comes after Schofield’s former co-host Holly Willoughby stated he beforehand denied to her having a relationship with a youthful ITV colleague – including his admission now’s “very hurtful”.

“When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not,” she said.

“It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”

READ MORE:Dan Wootton claims ITV ‘dismissed’ Phillip Schofield affair in fresh attack

The Mail on Sunday claims Schofield, 61, was forced to confirm allegations of an affair were true in a statement on Friday because the young man in question – who had also worked on This Morning – had told his lawyers about it.

Schofield had reportedly hired top law firm Mishcon de Reya to be the man’s legal representation.

The man, now in his mid-20s, reportedly told his lawyers about the relationship because he was tired of keeping it a secret.

It is reported that Schofield first met the individual at the school in North West England when he was in his late 40s.

In Friday’s statement, Schofield said: “I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a youthful male colleague at This Morning.

“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, however not unlawful. It is now over.”