Phillip Schofield’s ex-lover will ‘have his say’ in ITV inquiry after bosses claim he denied relationship 12 times
PHILLIP Schofield’s toyboy ex-lover will “have his say” in ITV’s external investigation into the affair.
The runner will be quizzed by independent barrister Jane Mulcahy KC over the relationship with the then-married star.
It comes after ITV chief Dame Carolyn McCall told MPs last week that he and Schofield, 61, “categorically denied” any affair.
The boss also claimed the This Morning employee was asked 12 times about the tryst and denied it was an “open secret” at ITV.
Sources have since come forward claiming he was never actually questioned about it and believe the inquiry will be his chance to tell his side of the story.
One told the Daily Mail: “ITV have kept in touch with the man and there will be a very thorough investigation, where many people close to the situation will be asked questions.
“It will be his chance to have his say. It could most definitely lead to some difficult reading for ITV’s bosses if it turns out that he says he wasn’t asked about the relationship 12 times.”
Schofield sensationally left This Morning last month after revealing he had an affair with the much-younger male employee.
The star, who was married at the time, branded the relationship “unwise but not illegal”.
The runner first met Schofield, who was married at the time, when he was 15 before taking a job at This Morning three years later.
It has been claimed he was moved to another show and given a “financial settlement” after the affair ended.
Dame Carolyn told the Culture, Media and Sport Committee she first became aware of a rumour about the relationship in December 2019, having joined ITV two years previous.
ITV has already faced criticism over a previous probe into the affair in 2020 where bosses said they found no evidence “beyond hearsay and rumour”.
The corporation also accused Schofield of “repeatedly” lying to them.
The new independent review could see Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary and Holly Willoughby quizzed.
Other stars who have worked on the ITV show — including Eamonn Holmes, Ruth Langsford and Dr Ranj Singh — will also be called to give statements.
Schofield sensationally left This Morning last month after revealing he had an affair with the much-younger male employee.
The star, who was married at the time, branded the relationship “unwise but not illegal”.