ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall has told how Phillip Schofield was denying having an affair with a much younger staff member right up until this month after repeated grillings.
The chief executive laid bare the scale of the shamed former This Morning host’s deception as she ordered a barrister-led review into the scandal.
Dame Carolyn told how ITV investigated claims of Schofield’s affair with a show runner when rumours started circulating in 2019 and followed that up with further questioning.
In a letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, Culture Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage and Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes, she wrote: “Phillip made assurances to us and his agency which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.”
It comes as the Mirror can reveal staff on This Morning were reassured the show was safe in a team meeting, yesterday.
A source said: “It was made abundantly clear… the show, and their jobs, weren’t going anywhere.”
Schofield, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to the “unwise but not illegal” affair. He had already left his This Morning slot, which he co-presented with Holly Willoughby.
In her letter, Dame Carolyn told how ITV took the furore over Schofield’s fling “extremely seriously” as MPs prepare to grill ITV bosses on culture at the channel. She added: “We have reviewed our own records over the weekend.
“These show that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in late 2019/early 2020 ITV investigated. Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours. ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on the This Morning and wider Daytime team and were not provided with, and did not find any evidence of a relationship beyond rumour.
“Given the ongoing rumours, we continued to ask questions of both parties, who continued to deny them, including as recently as this month.”
Dame Carolyn revealed ITV has asked Jane Mulcahy KC to carry out the external probe. She said: “Given Phillip’s admission of the extent of his deception the work will extend to cover any related issues that may emerge.” Dame Carolyn also told how the runner Schofield had an affair with is being “offered support throughout this period”.
She said in her letter: “The employee has made it clear that he does not wish to be named or identified in connection with this matter. We would be grateful if you would be mindful of this.
Some This Morning staff used yesterday’s meeting to vent their fury at former show medic Dr Ranj, who made claims of a toxic workplace culture on the programme.
A source said: “His comments have caused real anguish. It’s a picture they don’t recognise. They feel his sweeping statement casts them as all somehow complicit. It’s really unfair, and has affected a lot of people’s mental health.”
Dame Carolyn wrote: “We were sorry to read his statement. After his complaint, an external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”
