ITV has confirmed that it investigated ârumoursâ of a relationship between former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield and his colleague when they started circulating in 2020.
Last night, Schofield issued a statement which was published by the Daily Mail, admitting he had an affair with a âyounger male colleagueâ and hadnât been truthful.
An ITV spokesperson said: âFurther 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.
âBoth parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillipâs then agency YMU.
BREAKING: This Morning presenter Dermot O'Leary is asked about Phillip Schofield by reporters but refuses to answer, saying it is not 'appropriate to comment on a story I don't know'.
â Sky News (@SkyNews) May 27, 2023
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âIn 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.
âPhillipâs 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.â
In the full apology for lying about the relationship, Schofield revealed the affair happened while he was still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe and before he publicly came out as gay.
The 61-year-old also announced he has quit ITV completely and is stepping down from his role at the broadcasterâs British Soap Awards which he has been a part of since 2006.
It comes after he recently exited with âimmediate effectâ from presenting This Morning amid reports of a âriftâ with his co-host Holly Willoughby.
BREAKING: ITV says it investigated "rumours of a relationship" between Phillip Schofield and a younger employee, after questions were raised over what network bosses knew about the presenter's conduct.@SkyKatieSpencer has the latest.
â Sky News (@SkyNews) May 27, 2023
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ITV 'deeply disappointed' over Phillip Schofield's affair with colleague
An earlier statement from ITV said the broadcaster felt âdeeply disappointedâ by Schofieldâs âadmissions of deceitâ.
An ITV spokesperson said: âWe are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield.
âThe relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.
âPhillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down."
Phillip Schofieldâs management, YMU also released a statement as the company has parted with the TV presenter with âimmediate effectâ after 35 years.
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