Holly Willoughby is ‘damaged goods’ and This Morning needs ‘fresh start’ after Phillip Schofield drama, ex-ITV boss says
AN ex-ITV boss has claimed Holly Willoughby is “damaged goods” and says This Morning needs a “fresh start”.
Former commercial director Ian McCulloch is calling for new presenters for the show after Phillip Schofield revealed he had an affair with a much younger male employee.
The star, who was married at the time, branded the relationship “unwise but not illegal”.
His admission catapulted the show into chaos – with Holly Willoughby’s future now in doubt.
And Mr McCulloch believes it is time for her to leave.
Speaking to GB News, he said: “I do absolutely agree that none of the on-screen talent, well, those two, they cannot be associated with the show. She’s damaged goods.
“They need a fresh start. I’m not sure that the talent that they’ve got, sort of running through at the minute is the right talent. But I think the show is a good show, but you certainly can’t have those two.
“There is so much more to come out in this story. I think they need to make a clean break and just move the show on.”
It was reported yesterday that Phillip’s lover was moved to another show and given a “financial settlement” after the affair ended.
Insiders at ITV said bosses at some level must have known about any payment as senior body would have had to sign it off.
Pressure has continued to mount after it emerged a staffer raised concerns in an email dated February 10, 2020, to top boss Carolyn McCall, and Julian Bellamy, head of ITV Studios.
It read: “With the current rumours and accusations swirling around about Phillip Schofield why is he still on our screens? Why have ITV not suspended him pending an internal inquiry?
“I would have thought in this day and age that a mainstream broadcaster ought to be seen to be doing all it can to deal with issues like this, find out where the truth lies and, in the meantime, suspend those who the rumours concern?”
It is reported neither boss replied to the email.
The under-fire corporation claims they investigated Schofield in 2020 but said they found no evidence “beyond hearsay and rumour” as they accused the star of being a liar.