The future of ITV's This Morning lies in doubt after Phillip Schofield's confession he lied about an affair with a younger male colleague.
The broadcaster is battling to save the breakfast show - where Mr Schofield has been a presenter for the last 20 years - amid fears it has been 'tarnished beyond repair' after Mr Schofield's confession. ITV bosses claimed they held an investigation in 2020 into rumours of a relationship between Mr Schofield and the employee.
Both the men denied the rumours, and bosses said that as multiple staff failed to provide evidence of the affair 'beyond hearsay and rumour' no action was taken, reports the Mirror.
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A source told the Mirror: "The next few weeks will be a desperate bid to save the show - and the jobs of the execs. Fingers are being pointed at the top brass, even though he admitted he lied to all of them.
“The show’s wholesome image is clearly tarnished, but bullish ITV execs are not going to just throw the baby out with the bath water.”
ITV’s chief executive Carolyn McCall, its daytime managing director Emma Gormley and editor of This Morning Martin Frizell faced calls for the show to be axed at the weekend, with staff reportedly fearing it could be “rested”, or pulled entirely.
And Holly Willoughby, who has blasted her former co-host, is believed to be utterly determined to stay at This Morning amid calls for her to step down.
Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, a source said that Holly has no intentions of quitting the programme, the only way she would ever choose to leave is if the show is axed.
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