ITV has insisted This Morning will return amid reports the show could be axed after Phillip Schofield quit.
Schofield, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting to an 'unwise, but not illegal' affair with a young male colleague on the show. Rumours of the relationship were investigated by ITV in 2020, but both Schofield and his colleague 'categorically and repeatedly denied' them.
Holly Willoughby last night said her former co-presenter had denied having the relationship to her - and said his admission now was 'very hurtful'. Bosses at ITV now reportedly believe This Morning's reputation is 'tarnished beyond repair', according to the Mirror.
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Though a spokesperson for the broadcaster insisted that despite rumours it could be axed, it is 'not under review' and will return on Monday. The ITV spokesperson said: "This Morning is not under review. The show will return on Monday.”
In a statement published by the Daily Mail on Friday, Schofield said the affair began when he was still with his wife, Stephanie, and he is 'very, very sorry' for being unfaithful. Last weekend, Schofield quit This Morning with 'immediate effect'.
Willoughby is staying on the programme. Schofield has faced months of controversy due to reports of a rift with Willoughby, his brother’s child sex abuse trial and a furore over his visit to the late Queen’s lying-in-state.
A spokesperson for ITV said the broadcaster was 'deeply disappointed' by the 'admissions of deceit'. The spokesperson added that Schofield's statement revealed he 'lied to people at ITV', including his colleagues and his management.
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