'Unwise, but not illegal': TV host Phillip Schofield reveals affair with younger male colleague shortly following resignation
UK breakfast show host Phillip Schofield has admitted to having an affair with a younger male ITV employee, who he met while the staffer was a teenager.
Shortly following his abrupt resignation from This Morning, Schofield, 61, released a statement today regarding the alleged affair.
"I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague," he began, adding that though he met the employee as a teenager and was asked to introduce him to the world of television, he claims the relationship became more than platonic only after the employee started working on the TV show.
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Phillip Schofield and his wife Stephanie Lowe have been married since 1993, remaining married since he came out as gay in 2020. Getty
"That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over. When I chose to come out I did so entirely for my own wellbeing. Nobody 'forced' me out.
"Neither I nor anyone else, to my knowledge, has ever issued an injunction, super or otherwise, about my relationship with this colleague, he was never moved on or sacked by or because of me."
Schofield maintains that his recent departure from This Morning is "unrelated" to the supposed secret relationship, though it seems to still be affecting the male employee, which is why Schofield says he has decided to speak the truth now.
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Phillip Schofield retired after 21 years of hosting the morning show. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
"I am painfully conscious that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore the public and most importantly of all to my family. I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife," he said.
Schofield came out as gay in 2020 after being married to his wife, Stephanie Lowe, since 1993. They remained married even after his confession.
Following his admission, he has not only resigned from ITV and This Morning, which he has hosted for 21 years, but will also step down from his upcoming gig hosting the British Soap Awards.
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He now plans to "reflect on my very bad judgement in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it," asking for privacy for the male employee, who is not a public figure.
Schofield retired from his position with "immediate effect" after rumours swirled of a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby.
"This Morning has become the story," Schofield said in a statement released overnight, referencing the increasing speculation.
"I understand ITV has decided the current situation can't go on."
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Earlier this week there were rumours of a feud between Schofield and his co-host of 14 years, Holly Willoughby. Instagram
However, they both dispelled rumours of a feud.
Willoughby, who has hosted the show with Schofield since 2009, responded to his statement with, "the sofa won't be the same without him".
In turn, Schofied shared in a statement, "Holly is my rock. We're the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.
"Holly has always been there for me, through thick and thin. And I've been there for her. The last few weeks haven't been easy for either of us."
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