Phillip Schofield held all the power on This Morning, according to sources who were getting "fed up" with his behaviour on the ITV set.
In recent days, he has been surrounded by allegations that he wasn't the happiest person to work alongside, with some former colleagues including Dr Ranj Singh and Ruth Langsford raising their concerns to ITV bosses.
But Phillip has insisted that despite claims of the programme being a "toxic" environment, this was not the case as he issued an unexpected statement.
The presenter, 61, has sensationally quit all of his jobs with ITV following his bombshell statement admitting to an affair with a much younger male ITV employee.
Speaking to the Mirror, a source on the show said: "He had too much power at This Morning and those on set were getting sick of it...
"A source that works there said he doesn't even talk or know the names of the crew and workers behind the scenes. It became a toxic atmosphere."
They went on to add: "They aren't allowed back on as guests (if they speak out), it's similar to what happened with Amanda Holden. If you cheese him off, you are not back on the show."
An ITV source told the Mirror that all editorial decisions are made by ITV management and the relevant teams. Presenters are not in a position to make editorial decisions.
Amanda had previously appeared on the show alongside Phillip – despite him pushing bosses to sign Rochelle Humes up after the Britain's Got Talent judge had agreed to be on the programme.
Sources at the time claimed that Amanda felt Phillip had "unfairly used his powers of persuasion," and Rochelle had been chosen as she was "easier to 'manage' on air."
Speaking in 2019, Amanda addressed the situation, explaining to her radio co-host Jamie Theakston: "I've moved on from it, Jamie, you need to move on from it.
"I did offer to meet him for a coffee months ago, he didn't reply to my text. What can I say?"
Meanwhile, another source claimed to the Mirror that Phillip had the power to "override" people on This Morning, explaining that if a booker rejects a celebrity guest, he often goes behind them in order to secure an appearance.
They explained that a well-known name was denied the opportunity to appear on the sofa but after approaching Phillip directly, they managed to secure a place to appear on the programme - with the former presenter allegedly going over producers heads.
Our source continued: "People that worked on This Morning from the crew, and cameraman to the people that made cups of tea were scared to even speak to him.
"He would keep his head in his phone and he looked up, they were allowed to speak with him. He was given way too much control and felt he was invincible."
Dr Ranj Singh who previously worked on This Morning previously hit out, explaining he believed the show was a "toxic" environment and that he had raised concerns to ITV bosses.
He said: "Over time, I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind-the-scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated.
"I didn't know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with This Morning go far beyond him.
"It takes more than one person to create a culture. So I did what I thought was right and, as ITV confirmed last night, I raised my concerns about Martin Frizell's behaviour (and the environment at This Morning) with Emma Gormley - especially given that my job is to look after people's wellbeing, and I had been heavily involved in diversity, anti-bullying, and mental health projects across the channel.
"But then I found myself being used less and less."
Ranj continued on in his lengthy statement: "I even took my concerns directly to the top of ITV. The culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer aligned with ITV values, and I felt like because I whistle-blew I was managed out.
"But as history and experience have taught us, things like bullying and discrimination are very hard to prove, particularly in hindsight and when the 'people in power' control the narrative. As we've seen, no review or investigation is foolproof."
Following Ranj's statement, an ITV spokesperson told The Mirror: "We are sorry to read Dr Ranj's post today. At ITV we are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concerns or comments they may have.
"Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination."
Loose Women star Ruth Langsford also filed a complaint to ITV about Phillip's behaviour in 2019.
Their feud appeared more serious after Ruth looked visibly shocked when she was cut off from speaking by Phil live on air as she informed viewers what was coming up next on Loose Women.
"Well, I only had about two more words to say," an unimpressed Ruth uttered.
Speaking to the Mirror, former Big Brother contestant and GB News commentator Rebecca Jane claimed that during her stints on This Morning, she also found the environment to be toxic.
In recent years, the media personality appeared on the show and famously clashed with Phillip in 2018 during a discussion on housewives being branded lazy.
She said: "I'd absolutely say it was toxic, I didn't feel I could say how he acted wasn't ok, or how it had made me feel. If I did, no one would care. They just did what they wanted. It's television, we had to get used to it."
Rebecca continued: "It took me years to get over that first appearance, it's amazing how he turned over time.
"Reality TV gives you 'people to burn', people you know can give you a load of grief too which will create good television because we're not bothered about using them again.
"I really believe I was that for Phil that first day – Holly was ok but she didn't help or come to my aid when he dived in, the public did to an extent.
"I went on to work with This Morning for many years to come and Phil changed towards me.
"He didn't 'go' for me like he did the first time, possibly because he realised I wasn't going anywhere. He was nice in the years after but I always knew with him."
Rebecca appeared on This Morning from 2010 and last appeared on the show in 2019.
One former employee on the show, who wished to remain anonymous stated that bosses made the most of Fridays when Phillip was not at work.
They claimed: "I found him to be unwelcoming, snappy and very controlling over the content of the show.
"Fridays are everyone's favourite day on the team because the pressure is completely off when he isn't in."
ITV boss Kevin Lygo recently hit out at claims that an investigation into the affair had been incompetently carried out, responding to Sky News who presented the claims, saying: "No."
He added: "Honestly, we've made a statement today [and] yesterday. I think it's all clear."
Earlier on Monday, Schofield said: "Now I no longer work on @thismorning I am free to say this. I hope you have noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice.
"This Morning IS the best show to work on, with the best people. In all the years I worked there there was no toxicity. You can listen to those persistently loud voices if you like.
"But the thousands of guests over the years, thousands of staff and crew, hundreds of presenters and contributors all know, it IS a family of wonderful, talented, kind and hardworking people."
The Mirror approached This Morning and Phillip Schofield for comment.
