ITV is reportedly banning anyone under 18 from working on the popular daytime show This Morning as ITV updates its working guidelines.
While the channel previously offered apprenticeship programs and work experience slots, it is now believed that minors are no longer getting the opportunity to work on the daytime show.
Currently hosted by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, This Morning faced significant controversy last year when former host Phillip Schofield admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague.
The presenter admitted to lying to bosses and colleagues about the relationship, and an independent investigation concluded that ITV "was unable to discover the pertinent evidence" of the relationship until Schofield disclosed it.
It's reported that ITV has taken these new measures to ensure the show avoids any future controversies.
An insider told The Sun: “ITV doesn’t want anything like the Schofield scandal happening again so they're tightening their policies big-time.“They're making it tougher for friends and family members of senior employees to get a job here so that there's no suggestion of nepotism - or anything else.
“One producer's son is working as a runner but is only allowed to do it because he's based in a different department. The rules are now whiter than white about hiring. No more 16 or 17 year olds anymore, either. It's 18 and over.”
As per the report, the broadcaster's apprenticeship programme is still active, but now participants must be at least 18 years old instead of 16.
The Standard has contacted ITV for comment.
Meanwhile, Schofield hasn’t worked in the public eye since the fallout from his affair but recently returned to social media amid reports that he’s considering a TV comeback, encouraged by Saturday Night Takeaway star Declan Donnelly.
Previously, sources close to the presenter, 62, revealed that he still has support from his former television colleagues, many of whom are reportedly encouraging him to return to work.“Since he left This Morning, Phil has been held up by the support of friends” one source told Metro.co.uk.
“They have all been rallying around him and their support has really helped Phil.
“Some TV executives have been in touch with Phil about a possible return and his friends have told him he should consider it. Phil is still shell-shocked by everything that happened last year and is happy at the moment to focus on rebuilding his life with the support of his friends and family.
“Whether he will make a comeback — whether it’s on TV or radio — is still undecided but the offers are there if he wants to pursue them.”
