A photo reportedly shows Phillip Schofield pictured with his younger lover alongside Holly Willoughby. It comes as Holly has denied all knowledge of their affair.
Schofield, aged 61, was pictured with the young male aide at the centre of the scandal as early as 2018, reports Birmingham Live. An insider told the Sun newspaper: “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.”
It comes after ITV said no one employed on the daytime show knew of the affair. On Saturday a spokesperson said: "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.
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"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." Willoughby announced on an Instagram story on Saturday that Schofield's previous denial of rumours "was a lie".
"It's taken time to process yesterday's news," Willoughby posted. "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." ITV This Morning continues to air each weekday from 10am and will return to the air on Monday with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary hosting.
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