Phillip Schofield has admitted having an affair with a younger male member of staff at ITV while he was married. In a statement the former This Morning presenter said he had a "consensual on-off relationship" with a worker on the programme.
It has been reported that Schofield has since been dropped by his talent agency YMU following the affair. He is also said to have stepped down from ITV meaning he will no longer host the British Soap Awards next week.
The Mirror reports that Schofield's former talent agency YMU parted ways with the presenter on Thursday. YMU said in a statement: "Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU’s whole business, defining everything we do. Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust.
"This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield. These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him. As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect."
And Schofield said: "It is with the most profound regret that after 35 years of being faultlessly managed by YMU I have agreed to step down from their representation with immediate effect."
The broadcaster later released a further statement, said The Mirror, in which 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."
In the lengthy statement, Schofield said he was "deeply sorry" to his lawyers for "misleading" them on a story, which was set to be published earlier this week about the affair. He added how he had "not been truthful" about the relationship in "an effort to protect my ex-colleague".
Schofield insisted his recent departure from This Morning was "unrelated" but had "fuelled speculation and raised questions", which he says have been "impacting" his ex. He added: "For his sake it is important for me to be honest now".
The former presenter, who had hosted This Morning from 2002, added how he was "painfully conscious" that he had "lied" to his employers at ITV as well as colleagues, friends, agents, the media, the public and "most importantly of all to my family". In the lengthy apology, he added: "I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife."
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Schofield then announced his decision to step down from hosting the British Soap Awards, which he was due to front next week and resigned from ITV "with immediate effect". He then expressed his "immense gratitude" to ITV for "all the amazing opportunities that they have given me".
The former TV presenter added: "I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it."
He added: "To protect his privacy, I am not naming this individual and my deepest wish is that both he and his family can now move on with their lives free from further intrusion, and that this statement will enable them to do so. I ask the media now to respect their privacy. They have done nothing wrong, and I ask that their privacy should be respected."
The 61-year-old confirmed he had left This Morning after more than 20 years last weekend. It came amid reports of a strained relationship with his co-host Holly Willoughby, 42.
Announcing his departure from This Morning, Schofield 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."
