Phillip Schofield quits ITV as he admits to lying about affair with younger This Morning colleague
Phillip Schofield has admitted to lying about an affair he had with a young male colleague while working at This Morning, ITV News reporter Chloe Keedy has the latest
Phillip Schofield has admitted to having an affair with a much younger man at ITV, who worked with him on This Morning.
The relationship took place while he was still married to his wife, Stephanie Lowe, who is also mother to their two daughters.
It is understood the younger colleague is not in the public eye and did not want their relationship to be known.
Schofield said “The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them (the Daily Mail), and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning," in a statement released through the Daily Mail.
He continued: “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.”
The presenter added: “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.”
ITV confirmed it has accepted Schofield's resignation and added it was "disappointed" in his "deceit".
An ITV spokesperson said: "We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield.
"The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.
"Phillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down.
“We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.”
Mr Schofield’s agency has since dropped the former This Morning co-host, citing “honesty and integrity.”
Mary Bekhait, the Group CEO of YMU Group, said: “Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU’s whole business, defining everything we do. Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust.
“This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield.
"These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him.
“As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect.”
He also admitted he had lied to ITV about the relationship but added that "that relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over."
Mr Schofield has quit ITV, the channel has accepted his resignation, despite previously announcing he will have a prime time show.
This Morning is currently being presented by temporary hosts, mostly Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary.
Holly Willoughby, who also presented ITV's Dancing On Ice with Schofield, is on a half term break and is expected to return on Monday, June 5.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.