ITV releases results of Phillip Schofield’s This Morning inquiry
Eamonn Holmes demands transcript from Phillip Schofield probe
The results of an external review into Phillip Schofield’s exit from This Morning have been published by ITV.
The report stated ITV made “considerable efforts” to find out the truth about an alleged relationship between Phillip and a runner on This Morning in 2019. However, the external review found it was “unable to uncover the relevant evidence” until Phillip’s admission this May.
The findings also revealed Phillip “reluctantly declined” to take part in the external review into the circumstances surrounding his departure from ITV because of “the risk to his health.”
Jane Mulcahy KC explained the veteran broadcaster’s mental health has since deteriorated in the report, published on Thursday.
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The inquiry was launched following the speculation surrounding Phillip’s exit from the ITV show after fronting it for more many years.
There were reports he and former co-host Holly Willoughby had fallen out before he admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal affair” with a much younger male colleague publicly.
ITV called in Ms Mulcahy to investigate how the affair and Phillip’s This Morning exit were handled by the broadcaster.
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Ms Mulcahy was instructed to conduct an external review in May – a week after Phillip’s affair admission.
A total of 48 people were interviewed by the lawyer for her report, including junior and senior ITV staff as well as “on-screen personalities” and former staff members.
Dame Carolyn McCall, the broadcaster’s chief executive, revealed ITV had looked into rumours of an affair between an unnamed colleague and Phillip in 2019. However, those involved denied the claims.
A mix of former contributors and employees came forward to describe the atmosphere on This Morning as “toxic” following Phillip’s exit.
Holly got caught up in the scandal and decided to quit This Morning a few months after Phillip – and the show has been presented by several hosts on a rotating basis ever since.
Holly and Phillip also hosted Dancing On Ice together, which is due to return to ITV in January. With Phillip being dropped by his agency and cutting ties with ITV altogether, he will not be part of the coming series.
ITV has not confirmed if Holly will return to host the reality series or if she will be replaced by another famous face.
This Morning airs on weekdays between 10am and 12.30pm on ITV and ITVX.
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