British television personality Phillip Schofield has resigned from all commitments with broadcaster ITV within a week of stepping down as co-host of This Morning.
Schofield revealed in an exclusive statement to The Daily Mail he engaged in an affair with a young, male colleague several years ago during his time at This Morning, and subsequently lied about it.
The affair occurred while Schofield was still married to his wife of 27 years, Stephanie Lowe before they separated in 2020 when the presenter came out as gay.
"I am making this statement via the Daily Mail to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story which they wanted to write about me a few days ago," he wrote in a statement.
"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.
"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."
Schofield said he lied about the affair to protect his ex-colleague while continuing to respect his privacy by leaving him unnamed. He also apologised to his former wife for his infidelity.
"In an effort to protect my ex-colleague I haven't been truthful about the relationship. But my recent, unrelated, departure from This Morning fuelled speculation and raised questions which have been impacting him, so for his sake it is important for me to be honest now," he said.
"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."
An ITV spokesperson said the company felt "let down" as a result of Schofield’s deceit.
"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," they said.
"We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated."
British media personality Piers Morgan was shocked about the news, tweeting "Blimey....".
The 61-year-old's last appearance on This Morning was on Thursday, May 18.
He had presented the show since 2002 with Holly Willoughby joining him as co-host in 2009 however reports of a rift between the two fuelled speculation as to why he stepped down from the program.
Willoughby who is currently on leave from her role posted on Instagram to thank Schofield for his time with her on the show.
"It's been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil, and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour," she said.
Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary paid tribute to Schofield's tenure on the show while presenting on Monday, describing him as "one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had."
One of Schofield's other major roles that he will leave behind is his role, also alongside Willoughby, as host of Dancing on Ice.
He has also stepped down from hosting the British Soap Awards which will be held on June 4.
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2023-05-27 06:38:22Z
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