Phillip Schofield has issued a statement confirming he has parted ways from ITV after admitting to having an affair with a younger member of staff at the channel.
The former This Morning star has also been dropped by his talent agency YMU after the affair, which was not illegal, hit the headlines.
Following the news the 61-year-old released a statement revealing he would be stepping down from next month’s Soap Awards.
He said: “I have therefore decided to step down from the British Soap Awards, my last public commitment, and am resigning from ITV with immediate effect expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me.
“I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.”
The Mirror can confirm Phillip's former talent agency YMU parted ways with the presenter on Thursday – with Phillip later sharing a statement to admit to the affair.
YMU Entertainment and Phillip released separate statements about 'parting company' with 'immediate effect'.
“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 has admitted he lied 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.
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.
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.“
The news comes as Phillip sensationally stepped away from This Morning after months of speculation about tension between him and co-host Holly Willoughby.
The pair fronted the ITV daytime show together for over 13 years, but the relationship between the duo has been reportedly strained in recent months after a series of issues.
Their names were dragged through the muck over ' queuegate ' and they were then viciously trolled online, and it appears their relationship never recovered.
Phil then took some time away from This Morning while his brother was on trial for sex crimes, and rumours swirled when Holly was absent as Phil finally returned to screens.
Recently, it was reported that Holly cut ties with Phil.
Holly and Phil have been a mainstay of morning TV for over a decade but recently it was reported that the pair were " barely" speaking off camera and away from their roles on the programme.
And it is claimed that Holly finally gave an 'ultimatum' to ITV bosses, who chose to support the 42-year-old.
A source told Daily Mail : "It was basically an ultimatum, Holly won the war. We say what Holly wants, Holly gets, and never was a truer word spoken."
But later, an ITV source confirmed to the Mirror that Phil decided to leave of his own accord - and that talent have no input in editorial decisions.
Announcing his departure on Instagram, Phil wrote: "I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.
"Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
"I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can't go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
"So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.
"I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning's amazing viewers – and I'll see you all for the Soap Awards next month."
Despite failing to mention his co-star in his departure message, Holly took to her Instagram Stories to pay a sweet tribute on Saturday evening.
She wrote: "It's been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won't feel the same without him."
While Holly appeared to make a gushy farewell to Phil, it was reported that she ' cut ties ' with her old pal amid reports suggesting all was not well between the presenters.
One report claimed the once inseparable duo are now officially no longer friends after Holly showed Phil the door on their friendship.
