ITV TURMOIL
ITV in chaos over Phillip Schofield row as insider claims This Morning bosses ‘never asked lover about affair rumours’
ITV's crisis over the Phillip Schofield row deepened last night as an insider claimed This Morning bosses never asked his lover about the affair.
It comes after the channel insisted it investigated rumours - and found "no evidence" after both the star and the young show employee denied any romance.
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The explosive row has thrown the network into chaos as advertisers desert the flagship daytime show amid claims of a "toxic" culture.
It has raised questions for senior figures at ITV over what they knew of the affair between Schofield and the young assistant.
An insider told the : "It's time for some truths to be told now, this has been brushed under the carpet for so long and it has to come to an end.
"The younger man has got to the point now where he won't lie for anyone but actually, he says he was never asked by ITV about any relationship.
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"It is time that people were held to account, or at the very least explain themselves."
An ITV spokesman insisted last night that both Schofield and the younger man were questioned as part of its investigation - but would not say who led the questioning or when it took place.
On Saturday ITV issued a blistering statement accusing Schofield of deceiving bosses after the star admitted the affair and was ditched by his own agent.
A spokesperson said: "ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.
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"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."
Today The Sun revealed Schofield was pictured with the young male aide at the centre of the scandal as early as 2018, when he hosted a This Morning Live event.
The shamed star was seen with the ITV runner, with whom he had an affair behind his wife’s back, and co-host Holly Willoughby.
Staff sources say his closeness to the assistant was raising eyebrows as he insisted only he would help with his wardrobe and food.
An insider said: “It was odd — suddenly this new young staff member was glued to Phillip’s side.
"It was made clear to all other staff he was Phillip’s chosen aide — even though at times Phillip was quite abrasive towards him.”
ITV has lost millions of pounds in advertising since Phillip Schofield's affair scandal rocked the broadcaster.
Pictures of Schofield were removed from ITV studios yesterday as bosses tried to airbrush out his scandal in a desperate bid to save This Morning.
Show insiders said all traces of Schofield, 61, and his career were being torn down by order of editor Martin Frizell so it will be “like he never existed”.
'Toxic'
Earlier, This Morning star Dr Ranj Singh slammed the "toxic" culture of bullying at the show.
Dr Ranj took to Instagram to tell fans he had thought “long and hard” about opening up on his experiences at This Morning, but was desperate to “clarify” what happened.
In the social media statement, Dr Ranj claimed that he “raised concerns” about Phillip and show producer Martin Frizell before being used “less and less” as a guest.
“I was on the show for ten years and I genuinely loved and valued working there,” Dr Ranj said.
“However, over time I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind-the-scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated.
“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with This Morning go far beyond him. It takes more than one person to create a culture.
Dr Ranj continued: “I even took my concerns directly to the top of ITV.
“The culture at This Morning had become toxic, no longer aligned with ITV values, and I felt like because I whistle-blew I was managed out.”
He added that show bosses “assured” him his complaints were being investigated and “changes made” - but failed to see the changes he was looking for.
“That was two years ago, and frankly, it still hurts,” Dr Ranj concluded.
“The whole process was pretty heartbreaking and even affected my mental health.
“I sincerely hope something good comes from all this.”
Earlier this month, Dr Ranj said he’d been left “questioning his future” after departing This Morning.
He admitted he faced an “identity crisis” as a result of all the goings on at ITV.
On Saturday Holly Willoughby accused Schofield of lying to her when she confronted him over the rumoured affair with a much younger ITV employee.
Breaking her silence on Instagram, Holly said: "When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
"It's been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie."
ITV issued a major update on This Morning's future amid rumours it could be axed following Phillip Schofield's affair bombshell.
The show's future is in doubt following the toxic fallout from Phillip Schofield's affair revelations, with several hosts threatening to quit.
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ITV insists that This Morning is "not under review", with the show set to air as usual today.
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