Phillip Schofield appeared in high spirits as he and Holly Willoughby were snapped alongside a young male employee.
It has emerged that the younger man in question is believed to be the person at the centre of Phillip's affair drama – despite the TV host previously insisting rumours were false.
Phillip, 61, previously admitted he had lied to his management, friends, family, lawyers and ITV about his relationship with a former This Morning runner.
The presenter insisted that he and the much younger man started their affair when he was over 18, adding that while it was not illegal, it was an unwise decision.
Sources claim that Phillip's bond with the younger man became a worry when the man in question became "glued" to Phillip's side.
They told The Sun: "It was odd — suddenly this new young staff member was glued to Phillip's side.
"It was made clear to all other staff he was Phillip's chosen aide — even though at times Phillip was quite abrasive towards him."
The revelation comes just days after ITV slammed Phillip for his lies and deceit over the years after being confronted by bosses over his alleged affair.
ITV boss Kevin Lygo recently claimed that an investigation into the affair had been incompetently carried out, telling Sky News: "No."
He added: "Honestly, we've made a statement today [and] yesterday. I think it's all clear."
In a statement shared with the Mirror, a spokesperson for ITV 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."
An additional statement after Phillip's dramatic bombshell added: "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 grovelling statement released on Friday, Phillip said: "I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning.
"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."
