amonn Holmes has alleged that there was a “total cover-up” on ITV’s This Morning present over Phillip Schofield’s affair with a younger male colleague.
Schofield, 61, resigned from ITV on Friday and was dropped by his expertise company YMU after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair.
Following Schofield’s resignation, some former This Morning workers have come out to criticise the broadcaster.
The present’s former resident physician, Dr Ranj Singh, hit out on the daytime present’s “toxic” tradition, saying he raised issues about “bullying and discrimination” two years in the past when he labored there and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing.
Holmes, who beforehand introduced This Morning on Fridays with spouse Ruth Langsford, spoke concerning the affair on Dan Wootton’s GB News present on Monday.
He alleged that “those in authority” needed to have recognized what was occurring.
“It’s a total cover-up,” he mentioned.
“Those in authority had to know what was going on and they thought they would dodge a bullet with this.
“Which they do, and they do constantly, because with Schofield talking about those who speak out against him, namely me, Amanda Holden and you (Dan Wootton), you’ll be included in the toxicity that goes on. Dr Ranj, of course, as well.
“And you simply sit there and think ‘No mate, you’ve had it all your way for too long’.”
On Saturday, ITV mentioned that it had investigated the rumours in early 2020, however Schofield “categorically” denied that it was true.
“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,” a spokesperson for the broadcaster mentioned.
“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.”
In an Instagram publish earlier on Monday, Schofield hit again on the critics, saying that there was “no toxicity” on This Morning.
He added: “I hope you have noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice.”
Referring to these feedback, Holmes as a substitute accused Schofield of “toxicity”.
“I think that Phillip is absolutely right about toxicity,” he mentioned.
“But my friend, the toxicity is not with me, Dan Wootton, or anyone else, the toxicity is with you.”
He added that Schofield “created an atmosphere” on This Morning “where people hated him”.
He mentioned: “This nonsense that he wrote today about toxicity, about how (This Morning) is a happy place or whatever, holy God, what planet does this man live on?
“He created an atmosphere where people hated him.
“People would avoid him in the corridor. He didn’t look at anybody, didn’t know anybody’s name.
“Holly doesn’t know people’s names either. This is legendary within the production team, how distant they are, and how they just don’t care.”
Asked after a trailer for the interview had aired however earlier than it had been performed out in full at round 10.30pm, a spokesman for Schofield mentioned: “Phillip has no comment.”
ITV’s managing director of media and leisure refused to reply questions on Schofield after being pursued on the road by a GB News producer.
In a phase broadcast on Dan Wootton’s GB News present on Monday, producer Ben Leo tracked down ITV’s Kevin Lygo and requested him if there was a “cover-up” of Schofield’s affair with a younger male colleague on the station.
He additionally requested Mr Lygo if he “protected” Schofield.
Mr Lygo walked away from the producer, telling him: “We really have no more to say.”
ITV has been approached for remark.
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