Phillip Schofield's lover appeared on stage with him at the National Television Awards after This Morning was named best Daytime Programme.
The 61-year-old presenter accepted the accolade back in 2018 along with his colleagues, including Holly Willoughby and the young runner. While celebrating their win on stage, Phillip could be seen looking over his shoulder towards the production assistant as Holly made her speech, according to the Mirror.
Following his departure from ITV, the former presenter admitted on Friday the he had an affair with the younger colleague while working on This Morning. In a statement, he described their relationship as "unwise, but not illegal".
Phil has also since apologised to his ITV and his agency for the betrayal.
It has been claimed that spots on stage during the NTA are usually reserved for presenters and senior producers - with junior staff almost never granted a place. A source said the young runner's appearance raised questions at the time of the awards.
"He was on stage at the NTAs. Usually that's something that only the presenters and most senior execs get to do," a former ITV Daytime production member told The Sun.
“Most crew are either at the back of the arena or even watching the ceremony at another bar. It was all very odd."
Phil - who quit the ITV1 programme after more than 21 years earlier this month - said the relationship with the runner was ongoing while he was still married to Stephanie Lowe - with whom he shares two daughters. The TV star apologised for lying to his friends, family, and lawyers and said the former colleague was "never moved on or sacked by or because of me".
Rumours spiralled over the last few weeks after it emerged there were behind-the-scenes rifts between Phil and co-star Holly Willoughby. After Phil released a statement denying the feud, which was said to have "blindsided" Holly and ITV, he took the decision to leave the popular programme.
Phillip then admitted he had a secret relationship with an ITV production assistant that he kept secret from his wife Steph, Holly and ITV bosses for years. He admitted in a statement he had a “consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague”, who he met as a teen and had aspirations of working in television.
“It was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship,” Phillip added."That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over."
Phillip’s relationship with the young production assistant was first called into question in 2020, and it was recently revealed they had begun dating shortly after he landed a job with the ITV daytime show.
“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,” she said in a brief post on social media.
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