Phillip Schofield has broken his silence following the bombshell news that he was involved in an affair whilst still married to his wife to a "much younger" ITV male colleague, which has caused shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
The former This Morning host admitted to the affair following an abrupt exit from hosting This Morning after 21 years, as he apologised to his co-stars and all involved for lying about speculations when they first arose.
Phil, 61, has now spoken out about how the news has affected him, admitting he has been vaping, drinking and hardly eating since the controversial news came out and has stressed that although it was "unwise" that the romance was not "illegal."
During an interview with The Sun, the former ITV presenter showed his blistered and calloused hands to cameras and said he is "mentally and utterly broken" following the reports, which come a week after he came clean on his relationship with the showrunner.
Phillip claimed the pair were "mates" and that the friendship turned sexual following a "consensual moment" in his dressing room, adding that he was struggling with his sexuality at the time. He alleged they had only met up “maybe five or six times”.
He admitted to The Sun: "I’ve been vaping, a lot. I didn't realise until suddenly it hurt, but I've been sitting looking up at the sky or out of the window, just staring into space. I just sit on the sofa and stare. I realise by doing that, I've blistered both hands."
Phil, who has stepped away from ITV completely following the news, added: "I am in a very bad way. Mentally, utterly, utterly broken, I think when you've caused this damage, you can expect nothing, it's my fault, I completely understand."
The television star continued to explain that in recent days following the news spreading around like wildfire, he hasn't been eating properly and there has been "a lot of Southern Comfort".
During a second chat with the BBC, Phillip stated that the man in question was around 20 or 21 years of age when they engaged in a sexual relationship, despite previous reports saying he first met the showrunner when he was aged 15.
Seeking to clarify the nature of their relationship when the former colleague was underage, Rajan said: "Just be really clear, your relationship between when you met him when he was 15 and then when he was 18 was occasional direct messages… no pictures of each other sent to each other?"
Phillip responded by shaking his head. Asked whether the messages were flirtatious, the former TV presenter said: "Just work-related, just career advice, career help."
The 61-year-old also agreed there was "no sort of sexual forwardness" at that time with another shake of his head.
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