ITV launches external review into Phillip Schofield's departure from This Morning
Phillip Schofield admitted to having an "unwise, but not illegal" affair
ITV
ITV has launched an external review to "establish the facts" about its handling of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and his colleague.
Schofield resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair with a younger male colleague.
The letter was sent to culture secretary Lucy Frazer, DCMS Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage and Ofcom’s chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes, in the wake of Schofield’s exit last week.
It mentions the “significant media coverage concerning Phillip Schofield” and adds that: “As you would expect we take the matter extremely seriously and have reviewed our own records over the weekend.”
Schofield resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an affair
PAIt said: “The ITV employee was aged 19 when he first did work experience at This Morning in 2015 and 20 years old when he applied and succeeded in securing a job as a runner on the show.
“He subsequently applied for and was successful in securing a promotion to Loose Women in 2019. He left ITV in 2021. As you would imagine given the social media scrutiny of him, we have offered him our support throughout this period and indeed are still doing so.
“The employee has made it clear that he does not wish to be named or identified in connection with this matter. We would be grateful if you would be mindful of this.”
The letter also referred to other stories about This Morning, including allegations of a “toxic culture” by Dr Ranj, a former presenter on the show.
The show’s former resident doctor has hit out at the show’s “toxic” culture, saying he raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” two years ago when he worked there – and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing.
“There have also been wider stories about This Morning including about a former This Morning presenter Dr Ranj,” the letter said.
“We were sorry to read his statement. We are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.
“Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent adviser to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”
Holly Willoughby worked with Phillip Schofield on the show for 14 yearsPASchofield admitted he had been having an affair with a "much younger" ITV worker while still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe.
He apologised for misleading his lawyers - saying: "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."
The television star branded the relationship "unwise but not illegal".
Schofield had presented This Morning since 2002, with Willoughby joining the programme in 2009.