ITV have hit out at claims they knew Phillip Schofield was having an affair with a younger male colleague as they shared the results of 2020 investigation into the presenter for the first time.
Schofield admitted to an 'unwise but not illegal' on-off relationship in a lengthy statement released on Friday night.
The 61-year-old presenter said he was 'painfully conscious' and 'deeply sorry' that he had lied to ITV and his family - including wife Stephanie Lowe - to cover up the relationship.
Accusations have since been mounting that the station must have known about the affair between their lead presenter and a younger colleague that he helped break into television.
Former presenter Eamonn Holmes added fuel to the fire by tweeting "Schofield has finally been caught out ... But he's not the only guilty party. 4 high members of Itv management knew what sort of man he was."
The broadcaster has now responded to the growing claims by revealing for the first time that Schofield was investigated in 2020 when whispers of an affair on the This Morning set first came to light.
A spokesperson revealed that ITV was 'not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour' following the enquiry.
They also stated a number of Phil's colleagues were also spoken to on the speculation surrounding his personal life but ITV say again 'no evidence was found'.
The statement read: "Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.
"Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip's then agency YMU.
"In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.
"Phillip’s statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship."
Schofield revealed the affair began while he was still with his wife Stephanie in a statement published by the Daily Mail on Friday, adding he was “very, very sorry” for having been unfaithful to her.
It comes after he announced he was stepping down from presenting the ITV talk show with “immediate effect” last weekend while co-presenter Holly Willoughby will remain on the programme.
Schofield, who also co-hosted Dancing On Ice with Willoughby, said he would also step down from presenting the British Soap Awards, his last public commitment.
Following Schofield’s confession, a spokesperson for ITV said on Friday the broadcaster was “deeply disappointed” by the “admissions of deceit”.
“The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust,” they added.
“Phillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.”
In his statement, Schofield apologised for lying about the relationship.
“The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them (the Daily Mail), and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning,” he said.
“I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
He added that “contrary to speculation” the relationship was “not illegal”.
He said: “Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship.
“That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.”
He denied that a superinjunction had been issued by him, or on his behalf, regarding the relationship.
“When I chose to come out I did so entirely for my own wellbeing,” he said.
“Nobody ‘forced’ me out. Neither I nor anyone else, to my knowledge, has ever issued an injunction, super or otherwise, about my relationship with this colleague, he was never moved on or sacked by or because of me.
“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.”
The presenter added: “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.”
Talent agency YMU said it has “parted company” with Schofield “with immediate effect”.
The revelations come after Schofield faced months of controversy including reports of a rift with his long-time co-host Willoughby, his brother’s sex abuse trial and a furore over his visit to the late Queen’s lying-in-state.
Schofield married Stephanie Lowe in 1993 and they have two grown-up daughters together, Ruby and Molly.
After he came out in February 2020, in an emotional on-air chat with Willoughby, his wife told The Sun she supported his “brave step” and “always will” love him.
She also said: “Our family has also been so supportive and will help us going forward.”
