The showbiz world was rocked after Phillip Schofield confessed he had an affair with a ‘much younger colleague’.
The This Morning host, who quit the show after two decades, released a lengthy statement confirming rumours. Phillip, 61, added he was quitting all ITV commitments with immediate effect. Since then, ITV has been accused of knowing about the affair. It also launched an “external” investigation into how it handled the affair.
But if you’re wondering why the young man can’t be identified by the press, the “real reason” has been revealed.
Phillip Schofield affair: Why the young man can’t be identified
In Phillip’s initial statement, he asked for the privacy of the young man to be respected. Many mainstream titles, including ED!, have not named or identified the young man.
While rumours of injunctions and super injunctions are widespread on social media, the decision to not identify the young man has not been made on legal grounds. He’s entitled to his privacy, and we’re respecting that.
What is known is Phillip first met the young man when he was 15 when he visited his drama school. Phillip later reportedly arranged for an interview for him on This Morning after he was “asked to help him get into TV”. He was hired as a production assistant when he was 18.
The pair then reportedly began a friendship which turned into an affair.
Phillip Schofield: Confesses to affair with male colleague
The colleague in question has not been named by Phillip in order to protect his privacy.
However, Phillip confirmed the colleague was a teenager when they first met, and that they had an ‘on-off’ relationship.
“I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague,” Phillip wrote in a statement.
That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.
“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.”
Phillip then clarified the man no longer works at This Morning, but was not sacked or asked to leave due to the relationship.
Phillip continued that he did not speak openly about the relationship in order to protect his former colleague, who is not a public figure. However, Phillip’s recent and ‘unrelated’ departure from This Morning now forced him to speak out.
Phillip apologises for his bad judgement
He apologised for lying and for being unfaithful to his wife, Stephanie Lowe, who he had been married to since 1993.
“I will reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it,” Phillip wrote. He also called for the media to respect the privacy of his colleague. Following the bombshell statement, Phillip was dropped by his management, YMU.
Phillip also stood down from hosting the British Soap Awards and all other ITV commitments.
In response, ITV issued a statement.
“We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield,” it read. “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. We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.”
Report claims younger lover wasn’t asked about the affair
The young man reportedly told a source at the Mail that ITV did not ask him about the affair, which they previously claimed in a statement. They claimed: “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.”
It continued: “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.”
ITV then insisted that both Phillip and his younger lover were both questioned.
ITV launches external investigation
Yesterday, (May 31) ITV confirmed it was launching an external investigation into it’s handling of the Phillip Schofield affair. Chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall confirmed the investigation in a letter seen by the PA news agency.
The network has now instructed a barrister to carry out an external review to “establish the facts” who will “review records and interview people involved”.
The letter from Dame Carolyn reads: “This work will also consider our relevant processes and policies and whether we need to change or strengthen any. Given Phillip’s admission of the extent of his deception the work will extend to cover any related issues that may emerge. This work will be carried out as quickly as possible and we will be happy to share the outcome.”
Read more: Video of Phillip Schofield and his younger lover surfaces as he jokes about ‘getting away with it’
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