Phillip Schofield: ITV responds to reports This Morning could be axed – as boss denies mistakes in broadcaster’s investigation

An ITV boss has denied mistakes were made in the broadcaster’s investigation into rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and a younger male employee.

Kevin Lygo, director of television at ITV, was approached by Sky News following questions over what bosses knew about Schofield’s conduct.

ITV said it investigated “rumours of a relationship” in 2020 but both Schofield and the employee “repeatedly denied” the affair.

Speaking on Sunday, Lygo declined to comment further, telling Sky News: “Honestly, we’ve made a statement today, yesterday. I think it’s all clear.”

Asked if mistakes were made in the 2020 investigation, he replied: “No.”

ITV has said there are no plans to axe its flagship This Morning show following reports it could be taken off air in the wake of the Schofield controversy.

The veteran TV presenter, 61, quit the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting he lied about an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a young male colleague who worked on the programme.

Rumours of the relationship had first begun to circulate in 2020.

Denying reports in Sunday’s newspapers about the future of This Morning, an ITV spokesperson said: “As we said on the record yesterday, This Morning is not under review and there’s no plans for the show to be axed.

“This Morning will return as normal tomorrow.”

Read more:
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Statements from presenter and his agents in full

It comes after presenter Holly Willoughby spoke of her hurt after finding out that her former co-host had lied to her about his affair.

Writing on Instagram, she 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.”

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Schofield ‘deeply sorry’

In a statement on Friday, Schofield said he was “deeply sorry” for lying about the relationship.

It is understood the younger colleague, who is not a public figure, did not want the relationship to be made public.

The affair took place before Schofield came out as gay in 2020, and while he was still married to his wife, Stephanie Lowe.

In a damning statement, his former agents YMU Group said “honesty and integrity” were core values of their business and that their relationships are “based entirely on trust”.

Schofield, 61, left This Morning last week, amid reports his long-term friendship with Willoughby had come under strain.

Rumours of behind-the-scenes problems between the pair surfaced after his brother Tim Schofield was convicted of child sex offences.

Willoughby is expected to return to This Morning on 5 June.