Phillip Schofield says it was the conviction of his paedophile brother Timothy that ultimately drew he and Holly Willoughby apart. In May, Timothy, 54, was jailed for 12 years after being convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child.
Phillip has since said that his brother's conviction led to Holly distancing herself from her former This Morning co-host, reports the Mirror Online. In the interview, Phillip claims to have lost his "best friend" and insisted Holly did not know about his romance with a younger colleague.
He claimed he contacted her in one of the first texts he sent to apologise for lying after the news broke but Holly did not reply to his message. Phillip rejected the idea that he had a "feud" with Holly but says he understands that she needed to "take a step back" after his brother was convicted and imprisoned.
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Speaking about his affair with a younger male colleague, Phillip explained his friendship with the runner started when the man was 20 before admitting he is still friends with his former colleague. Phillip explained his relationship with his younger colleague became more than just friends after a "consensual moment" in his dressing room in 2017.
He insisted he did "not groom" the younger colleague at This Morning that he had an affair with, as he addressed the scandal in his first interview since admitting to cheating on his wife.
Phillip previously went on holidays with Holly - but the pair no longer speak. It comes after Josie Gibson was confirmed to replace Phillip, and partner Holly on her return to This Morning, from early next week.
But at this stage it's unclear if Gibson will be a permanent replacement for Schofield.
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