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."