Rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and a younger male colleague were investigated by ITV in early 2020, bosses have said.
The broadcaster issued a fresh statement today (Saturday) after the presenter resigned from the channel and was dropped by his talent agency following his admission of having an 'unwise, but not illegal' affair with a colleague on This Morning. ITV said that when rumours about the relationship began circulating in early 2020, they were 'investigated'.
Both Phillip and the colleague were quizzed, but 'categorically and repeatedly denied' the rumours, ITV said. The spokesperson added that Phillip's statement yesterday revealed he 'lied to people at ITV', including his colleagues and his management.
READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
In full, the ITV statement reads: "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."
In a statement issued yesterday, the veteran TV presenter, 61, said that the affair began while he was still with his wife Stephanie, adding he was 'very, very sorry' for having been unfaithful. It came after he announced he was stepping down from presenting This Morning with 'immediate effect' last weekend, while co-presenter Holly Willoughby will remain on the programme.
Schofield, who also co-hosted Dancing On Ice with Willoughby, said he would also step down from presenting the British Soap Awards, his last public commitment. In his statement, Schofield apologised for lying about the relationship.
"The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them (the Daily Mail), and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning,” he said. “I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
He added the relationship was 'not illegal'. He said: “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.” ITV yesterday said that the broadcaster felt 'badly let down'.
“We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield,” the spokesperson said. “The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.
“Phillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down." Talent agency YMU said it had 'parted company' with Schofield 'with immediate effect'.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- The Manchester suburb where 'it feels like it's just on the brink and... could go one way or the other'
- The drugs gang brought down by one of their OWN CCTV systems
- The beach just over an hour from Greater Manchester kids will love this May half term
- Tributes paid to 'gentle giant' new dad allegedly murdered in south Manchester
- Evidence of cannabis farm found at house which went up in flames
