Philip Schofield's younger lover confessed his feelings for him 'in no uncertain terms' in front of their shocked colleagues, it has been claimed.
The Mail On Sunday reports that the unnamed production assistant was regularly invited to glitzy events by Phil, and it was at one of these - held at the start of 2020 - that he made his adoration for the much-older presenter obvious.
According to the Mail: "At one particular event, an awards ceremony, Schofield's friend stunned his ITV colleagues by, as one put it, 'declaring his love for Phil in no uncertain terms."
And, echoing claims by 61-year-old Schofield's former employers, his talent agency and even on-screen partner Holly Willoughby, both he and the unnamed man, now believed to be in his twenties - denied their relationship was anything other than strictly professional.
Both Phillip and his former partner are said to have 'categorically and repeatedly' denied the rumours during a later investigation.
Last night Holly took to Instagram to claim that Schofield had lied to her when she first confronted him about the rumours, which first surfaced shortly before he came out as gay live on TV.
The 42-year-old, thought to be on holiday in the Algarve, wrote: “It has taken some time to process yesterday’s news. When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”
On Friday, former This Morning host Eamonn Holmes took to Twitter to slam Schofield and pour scorn on his former bosses.
He wrote: “Ruth and I [were] deceived and lied to... What transpired took us for fools. The man told us complete lies and we unfortunately believed him. Schofield has finally been caught out, but he’s not the only guilty party. Four high members of ITV management knew what sort of man he was.”
Today the Mirror revealed that This Morning could be axed as the Schofield saga continues to unfold - and the fallout intensifies
ITV ’s chief is said to believe it has been “tarnished beyond repair” after he admitted he lied about a relationship with a younger male colleague.
A top source claims: “The reality is things have gone too far. The show and the brand are tarnished beyond repair – no one is going to want to appear on it and Carolyn is looking to axe it. Her job could also be on the rocks. Behind the scenes it’s being said that it is a ‘f***ing nightmare’.”
Following a weekend of headlines, ITV have confirmed This Morning will air on Monday.
Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary will continue to fill for Holly and Phil, although it is not clear if they will be the presenters when the Monday show airs at 10am
An ITV spokesperson told the Mirror: “As we said on the record yesterday, This Morning is not under review and there’s no plans for the show to be axed. This Morning will return as normal tomorrow.
