‘Whitewash’ Phillip Schofield ITV probe slammed as ‘utterly implausible’ for claiming just ONE person knew of affair
FUMING ITV staff have slammed an external probe into Phillip Schofield’s affair with a collegue.
The report, published today revealed that just one person knew about their relationship – and they only became aware in 2021.
The runner, who was at least 30 years Schofield’s junior, started at ITV in 2017 and the presenter admitted they shared a moment in his dressing room that same year.
The ex-This Morning broadcaster, 61, and his former lover were meant to be quizzed at length amid the review – after their affair came to light in May.
However, it was today revealed the pair refused to cooperate – along with four others.
And now ITV workers have called the probe a “whitewash”.
One employee told The Sun: “The findings of this report were not surprising to say the least.
“That’s not to say that we all agree with them – rumours of the affair were swirling around then entire floor from 2019.
“Even talent – high profile names – were aware of the gossip even if they had no proof, or didn’t ask the right questions to the right people.
“It’s seems utterly implausible only one person knew. It’s a predictably sanitised version of events.
“But lessons will have been learned – and bosses are adamant that they are embroiled in no more scandal.
“Generally it really is a happy ship – and this marks the start of a new era. Everyone just wants to move on now, and start afresh.”
Another staff member told MailOnline: “There’s a chasm between this report and reality. What’s clear is that ITV will need more than policies and procedures to address its culture of silence.’”
Sources at ITV say that they have ‘full confidence’ in This Morning editor Martin Frizell and its head of daytime, Emma Gormley.
There have been calls for chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall and her number two Kevin Lygo to be sacked, though insiders now think that their jobs will also be safe.
In May Schofield, 61, admitted to having a relationship with a much younger man who worked with him on This Morning, and later lying about it.
In a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail, the veteran TV presenter admitted that he and the man began a relationship that was more than a friendship. The ex-TV presenter describes this as ‘unwise but not illegal’.
In the report by Jane Mulcahy KC, Schofield is referred to as PS, and the runner PX – Person X.
Ms Mulcahy wrote: “PS ‘reluctantly decline[d]’ my invitation to participate in the Review because of the risk to his health.
“I am informed that PS’s mental health has since deteriorated.”
It said that the runner “wanted to move on with his life and was not prepared to assist with” the review.
Schofield was axed from This Morning in May and then admitted he’d had the affair after rumors started circulating.
The report today revealed that of the 48 people interviewed – only one person knew of the affair before May.
And, they were only told two years prior.
The findings also suggest that one person is not Holly Willoughby as they were a junior at ITV.
The review found that TV made “considerable efforts” to find out the truth about the relationship but was “unable to uncover the relevant evidence” until Schofield admitted it.
ITV chairman Andy Costlett today said: “The KC review makes it clear that ITV’s management made considerable efforts to determine the truth about an alleged relationship between PS and Person X following media speculation.
“However, no concerns were reported and in the face of the denials of the individuals involved, ITV was unable to uncover the relevant evidence until PS’s admission in late May 2023.
“The KC makes it clear that the senior management of ITV and the senior team of This Morning were unaware of the nature of the relationship until PS’s statement in May 2023.
“We also asked the KC to review how we acted towards Person X and the KC has found that the company provided significant support to him.”
Schofield and the runner — identified only as Person X — both “categorically denied” any affair.
Person X was asked 12 times, including twice with a human resources staffer present.