Phillip Schofield has admitted to lying to his wife Stephanie Lowe, his agent and viewers over an affair he had with an ITV employee.
It comes after Phillip departed This Morning "with immediate effect" after 21 years on the programme.
He has since been dropped by his talent agency YMU after the affair, which was not illegal.
"In an effort to protect my ex-colleague I haven't been truthful about the relationship. But my recent, unrelated, departure from This Morning fuelled speculation and raised questions which have been impacting him, so for his sake it is important for me to be honest now," he stated.
"I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife."
In the statement shared with the Daily Mail, he said he had a "consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague" at This Morning.
He explained that their relationship became "more than just a friendship" after he started work on the programme.
"That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over," he said.
Phillip married Stephanie in 1993 and separated in 2020, with him moving out of their family home.
In February 2020, he came out as gay in a statement shared. on one of his Instagram stories.
His former agency, YMU, released a statement about parting ways with the TV presenter on Thursday.
“Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU’s whole business, defining everything we do. Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust," YMU stated.
“This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield. These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him.
“As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect.”
Phillip released a separate saying: “It is with the most profound regret that after 35 years of being faultlessly managed by YMU I have agreed to step down from their representation with immediate effect.“
When Phillip first came out, The Mirror revealed that Stephanie planned on 'sticking with him'.
Phillip and Stephanie share two children together - Molly and Ruby.
Speaking to co-star Holly last year about his family set-up, Phillip said: "Steph has been incredible – I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met.
"My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort."
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