Phillip Schofield has admitted he will "die sorry" for bringing the "greatest" misery into his ex-lover's life.
The former This Morning star, 61, has spoken out in an effort to address rumours following his admission of having an affair with a young runner.
Phillip presented his final episode of This Morning on Thursday, May 18, with ITV confirming his immediate exit just two days later.
In a shocking turn-of-events, Phillip subsequently parted ways from ITV and his management company after admitting to having an affair with a younger colleague, who he says he did "not groom".
He has now issued an apology to his former lover, saying he feels "massive guilt".
“It has brought the greatest misery into his totally innocent life, his totally innocent family, his totally innocent friends. It has brought the greatest grief to them," Phillip told The Sun.
The presenter says he hasn't spoken to his former colleague since the news broke but admitted he is paying for his lawyers to "to independently work on his behalf".
He added: “I am deeply sorry and I apologise to him because I should have known better.
“I’m sorry. And I will forever be sorry. I will die sorry. I am so deeply mortified.”
In the interview, Phillip insisted his six-month relationship with the runner started when the man was 20 and admitted he is still friends with his former colleague.
The former This Morning host also apologised to co star Holly Willoughby for breaking-up their TV partnership and friendship as he confirmed the ex-presenting-duo no longer speak.
Phillip has now said the pair have broken all contact, following his brother's imprisonment.
His brother Timothy was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy.
The former ITV presenter has spoke out in a bid to address rumours and says he "didn't lie to protect my career" but to protect the man he had an affair with.
In a statement announcing his affair, Phillip said: "The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning.
"I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning."
"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...," he said in a statement released to the Daily Mail.
He added: “I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.”
