Schofield ‘denied rumours of relationship’ to Willoughby and ITV investigation
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his Morning presenter Holly Willoughby has mentioned former co-host Phillip Schofield beforehand denied to her having a relationship with a youthful ITV colleague after the broadcaster introduced it investigated “rumours” round three years in the past that had been “repeatedly denied”.
The veteran TV presenter, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his expertise company after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning.
Willoughby introduced on an Instagram story on Saturday that Schofield’s admission of the affair now’s “very hurtful”.
“It’s taken time to process yesterday’s news,” Willoughby posted.
“When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
“It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”
A spokesperson for ITV mentioned on Saturday that the broadcaster was “not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour” when it seemed into the matter in 2020.
“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”, the assertion learn.
“Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency 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 statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship.”
Schofield revealed the affair started whereas he was nonetheless along with his spouse Stephanie in an announcement revealed by the Daily Mail on Friday, 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 discuss present with “immediate effect” final weekend whereas 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.
Following Schofield’s confession, a spokesperson for ITV mentioned on Friday the broadcaster was “deeply disappointed” by the “admissions of deceit”.
“The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust,” they added.
“Phillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.”
In his assertion, Schofield apologised for mendacity in regards to 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, relating to the connection.
“When I chose to come out I did so entirely for my own wellbeing,” he mentioned.
“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 reviews of a rift along 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 and so they 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 informed 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.”