Pictures of Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby with a young male This Morning employee have resurfaced after the former's shock exit from the ITV show last week. The man in the images, which have been obtained by the Mirror, is believed to be the person who is at the centre of the ongoing furore surrounding the programme and its stars.
As we reported on Friday, Phillip announced his decision to part ways completely with ITV after he admitted the relationship with the young man, who he met when he was 15, which he had previously denied when questioned by channel chiefs. In his statement of admission, Phillip said he regretted his deceit and the affair had been "unwise" but "not illegal" given the fact, he claims, the man was over 18 when it started.
He also admitted he'd lied to his management company - which has now cut ties with him, his friends, his family including his wife and his lawyers.
Sources have told The Sun this weekend that "bond" between the two men became a bit of a worry for people surrounding them when the younger employee appeared to be "glued" to Phillip's side.
The source said: "It was odd — suddenly this new young staff member was glued to Phillip's side.
"It was made clear to all other staff he was Phillip's chosen aide — even though at times Phillip was quite abrasive towards him."
Following Phillip's statement on Friday, ITV said in an official release: "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."
Channel bosses went on to emphasise an investigation had taken place when rumours of the affair first got to them.
A further statement read: "Further to our statement last night, 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.
"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."
However, it's been reported that the young man has denied he was ever questioned about the relationship.
In a grovelling statement released on Friday, Phillip said: "I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, 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.
"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."
Breaking her silence over the weekend, Holly Willoughby said: "It's taken 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. Holly."
Earlier today we reported that Phillip was snapped with the young male runner he's admitted to having an affair with as early as 2018.
The disgraced star was seen walking in front of the aide as he hosted a This Morning Live event.
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