As This Morning returns to screens on Monday, ITV is facing a battle to save the iconic show, it has been reported. There are calls for it to be axed following the Phillip Schofield revelations and claims of a "toxic" culture.
There are reportedly worries that the show's brand has been "tarnished" by Schofield's admission that he had an affair with a younger male colleague in 2020. It was investigated at the time, but no evidence was found, raising questions over how thorough that investigation was after the 61-year-old presenter admitted the affair on Friday and that he lied about it.
A source told the Mirror: “The next few weeks will be a desperate bid to save the show – and the jobs of the execs. Fingers are being pointed at the top brass, even though he admitted he lied to all of them. The show’s wholesome image is clearly tarnished, but bullish ITV execs are not going to just throw the baby out with the bath water. They are determined to prove that the brand is stronger than any single presenter, and that they can give it a fresh start after Schofield.”
