ITV have said they are 'deeply disappointed' by Phillip Schofield's "admissions of deceit" after he admitted to having an affair with a younger male ITV colleague.
The broadcaster released the statement and accepted the 61-year-old presenter's resignation with immediate affect after he apologised in a statement and stepped down from his hosting duties on ITV.
An ITV spokesperson told the Mirror: "We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield.
"The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.
"We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated."
It comes after Phillip admitted to having an affair and "misleading" the press and his lawyers when the story was due to come out earlier this week.
In the lengthy statement, which can be read in full here, Phillip apologised to his family, colleagues, the public, friends, his agents and the media for not "being truthful" about the affair.
He said: "I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. 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."
The former host insisted that the affair wasn't "illegal" but was "unwise".
Phillip added how his decision to lie was an effort to "protect" his former ITV colleague – whom Phillip was asked to help get TV work when he was a teen.
He said: "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."
Just a week before, Phillip announced his decision to quit This Morning after 21 years following an alleged feud with Holly Willoughby.
In a statement, the former host said: "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."
