ITV have issued a new statement on Phillip Schofield after the former This Morning host admitted to having an affair with a younger male colleague during his time on the show.
Phillip announced yesterday that he had resigned from ITV, which encompasses his presenting roles at the upcoming British Soap Awards and Dancing On Ice, after having lied about the relationship he had with his ex-colleague. He was also dropped by his talent agency after admitting to the "unwise, but not illegal" affair.
In a statement released to the Daily Mail on Friday evening, the 61-year-old presenter said: "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. I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning."
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Phillip went on: "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 presenter also described his departure from This Morning as "unrelated" to the affair, but said that his exit had "fuelled speculation and raised questions" as he explained that he had decided to "be honest" in an "effort to protect" the ex-colleague in question. Phillip also denied that a superinjunction had been issued by him, or on his behalf, regarding the relationship.
He 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."
ITV have since confirmed that "rumours" of a relationship between Schofield and an ITV employee were investigated around three years ago, but these rumours were "repeatedly denied" by both parties. A statement issued by the broadcaster on Saturday read: "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."
ITV added: "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." It follows a statement from the broadcaster on Friday, with a spokesperson saying ITV 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."
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