ITV has issued confirmation of This Morning’s immediate future amid the scandal surrounding Phillip Schofield’s affair confession after he parted ways with the morning programme last weekend.
Since he quit the show and admitting having an affair with a younger ITV colleague, This Morning viewers have been questioning the future of the ITV programme.
However, ITV bosses have now confirmed that the show will be making a return on Monday.
In a statement, they said: "This Morning will be back on Monday."
However, it has not yet been confirmed who will be hosting the show as Holly Willoughby took time away from the programme following Phil's bombshell decision to quit.
Last week, Friday hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary stepped in, so it is possible that the pair will take the reins and front the show once again.
ITV's statement comes after Phillip Schofield’s bombshell confession to an affair with a much younger member of ITV staff while he was still married.
Phillip, 61, has since been dropped by his talent agency YMU after the affair, which was not illegal, came to light. He has also stepped down from ITV completely – meaning he will no longer host the British Soap Awards next week.
In a bombshell statement, which can be read here in full, Phillip admitted the affair but refused to name his former colleague, with whom he had a relationship with.
ITV bosses are shocked by Phillip Schofield's statement and admission of his affair, insiders at the channel insisted last night.
Senior staff on This Morning told the Mirror they were 'angry and stunned' at what had happened and how he had conducted himself.
One source said: "He lied point blank to staff at every level."
Holly has since broken her silence, insisting that she knew nothing about the affair having asked Phillip amid ongoing rumours in ITV in recent years.
Holly, 42, issued a statement on Instagram story this evening to share her "hurt" over the revelation.
"It's taken time to process yesterday's news," she said in the brief statement.
"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. Holly."
In a statement shared on Friday evening, Phillip said: "I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger 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, but not illegal. It is now over."
Phillip insisted his recent departure from This Morning was "unrelated" but had "fuelled speculation and raised questions", which he says have been "impacting" his ex.
He added: "For his sake it is important for me to be honest now".
ITV also commented on Phillip's departure, revealing they had accepted his resignation and said they were "deeply disappointed" by the former presenter's "deceit".
An ITV spokesperson said: "We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield.
"The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.
"We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated."
The broadcaster later shared another statement, where ITV said they investigated claims of an affair between Phillip and the ITV employee – but they were 'lied' to.
The statement read: "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.
"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."
