TV Presenter Apologises for Deceitful Behaviour and Lying About Relationship to Employers

Phillip Schofield, the former host of ITV’s This Morning, has resigned from the network after confessing to having an affair with a younger colleague and lying about it to his employers. The 61-year-old television personality admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” consensual relationship with the man, which began while he was still married to his wife of 30 years.

In a statement released to the Daily Mail, Schofield revealed that he had met the young man when he was a teenager and had helped him break into television. However, their relationship deepened into more than just friendship after the man started working on This Morning. Schofield acknowledged that he had lied to ITV about the affair and said he would be stepping down from the broadcaster immediately.

“I am deeply sorry for having lied to my employers, colleagues, agents, the media, the public, and most of all, my family,” Schofield admitted. “I am incredibly regretful for being unfaithful to my wife, and I realise that I have made an awful misjudgement in both participating in the relationship and subsequently lying about it.”

Schofield confirmed he would also be withdrawing from his last public appearance at the British Soap Awards, his final commitment before stepping away from ITV entirely. The network has accepted his resignation and confirmed that he will no longer appear on its channels. An ITV spokesperson expressed disappointment in Schofield’s deceit, emphasising that trust is the foundation of their relationships with staff.

Schofield’s agency, YMU Group, also parted ways with him after discovering new information that contradicted his previous statements. YMU’s CEO, Mary Bekhait, explained that the agency had learned facts that directly contradicted Schofield’s earlier version of events. As a result, they made the decision to sever ties with him.

The scandal has added to tensions between Schofield and his This Morning co-presenter, Holly Willoughby. Schofield had previously announced his departure from the show, explaining that it had “become the story” and that stepping down was necessary to protect its future. His wife, Stephanie, had stood by him when he publicly came out as gay in 2020, following 27 years of marriage.

Schofield began his career in television as a teenager and became a household name with shows like Going Live!. He joined This Morning in 2002, where he co-presented until his recent departure, having worked alongside Willoughby since 2009.