This Morning has returned for the first time since former Phillip Schofield admitted to having a relationship with a former colleague.
The ITV presenter has parted ways with the broadcaster after admitting to having an affair with a younger member of staff at the channel. He admitted he had "lied" to his family, colleagues and management about what happened with the man in the past.
Today, the show returned with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary hosting the programme. Holly Willoughby is due back on Monday June 5th after her usual half-time break.
As they started the show today, Alison and Dermot revealed what was coming up on the programme as they spoke to host Ranvir Singh, who was standing in for Lorraine Kelly on her show due to the half-term break.
He asked Alison if she had a good weekend, which came after Phil admitted over the last few days to having a "consensual on-off relationship" with a younger male colleague at This Morning in the past.
In a statement on social media just 15 minutes before the show began, Phil slammed claims of 'toxicity' on the show.
"Now I no longer work on @thismorning I am free to say this. I hope you have noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice," he wrote on Instagram.
"This Morning IS the best show to work on, with the best people. In all the years I worked there there was no toxicity. You can listen to those persistently loud voices if you like. But the thousands of guests over the years, thousands of staff and crew, hundreds of presenters and contributors all know, it IS a family of wonderful, talented, kind and hardworking people."
Phil admitted to the relationship, which happened in the past and whilst he said it was "unwise" he said it was not "illegal".
In a statement over the weekend, Phil said: "The first thing I want to say is: 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. I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife."
Deciding to step down from ITV with immediate effect, he continued: "I have therefore decided to step down from the British Soap Awards, my last public commitment, and am resigning from ITV with immediate effect expressing my immense gratitude to them for all the amazing opportunities that they have given me.
"I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it."
Phillip claimed he covered up the fling for years in a bid to "protect" his former colleague as he insisted the relationship was "unwise" but not "illegal". An investigation was launched by ITV in early 2020.
A spokesperson for ITV told the Mirror: "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."
