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Phillip Schofield, a familiar face on ITV’s “This Morning,” has made headlines by stepping down from his role following the admission of an affair with a younger male colleague.
The 61-year-old broadcaster, who recently exited the popular daytime show, described the relationship as “consensual but unwise,” emphasizing its legality while acknowledging its imprudence.
Schofield expressed deep regret over the affair, which occurred during his 30-year marriage to Stephanie Lowe.
His apology extended to various parties misled about the relationship, including ITV, his colleagues, friends, and most importantly, his family.
This revelation came after persistent rumors prompted by Schofield’s departure from “This Morning.”
In his confession, Schofield admitted to deceiving not only his employer, ITV, but also his agents at YMU, prompting a severance of ties between the presenter and the agency.
He underscored the importance of coming clean for the sake of his former colleague, whose privacy he had initially sought to protect.
ITV responded to Schofield’s admissions with disappointment, citing a breach of trust.
The network confirmed Schofield’s resignation and announced that he would no longer appear on any future ITV broadcasts, a decision that follows his promise not to participate in the upcoming British Soap Awards.
The backdrop to Schofield’s exit included reported tensions with co-host Holly Willoughby and controversy over their alleged queue-jumping during the Queen’s lying in state—a claim both presenters denied.
Meanwhile, both took breaks from “This Morning” for personal reasons, with Schofield dealing with his brother’s legal troubles and Willoughby battling shingles.
Following Schofield’s departure, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary temporarily filled his shoes, acknowledging his two-decade contribution to the show.
Craig Doyle also stepped in, highlighting the immediate impact of Schofield’s exit on the program’s lineup.
YMU, through Group CEO Mary Bekhait, stressed the importance of honesty and integrity, noting the agency’s decision to part ways with Schofield was informed by discrepancies between his accounts and newly surfaced information.
Beginning his career at the BBC before moving to New Zealand and eventually returning to the UK, Schofield has been a staple of British television.
His journey from a children’s show host to a celebrated “This Morning” presenter has been marked by both achievements and controversies, including his public coming out in 2020, which drew support from his wife and daughters.
Schofield’s statement through his lawyers underscored the pain of ending a 35-year relationship with YMU, reflecting on the challenges that led to this pivotal moment in his career.
As the industry and audience digest this surprising turn of events, the focus remains on the implications for Schofield’s future and the void left on “This Morning.”
