Phillip Schofield’s lover was simply 15 after they met at a chat the veteran TV presenter was giving at a theatre faculty, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
On the time, the schoolboy requested him for a job, and Schofield later organized an interview for him. It led to a place as an ITV manufacturing assistant when he turned 18. A while afterwards, their affair started.
Final night time, as Schofield’s 38-year profession in tv lay in ruins, his This Morning co- presenter Holly Willoughby advised of her devastation when she found he had lied to her in regards to the relationship.
She revealed: ‘When stories of this relationship first surfaced, I requested Phil instantly if this was true and was advised it was not. It has been very hurtful to now discover out that this was a lie.’
At present, this newspaper can reveal the true cause behind Schofield’s extraordinary assertion on Friday by which he lastly got here clear in regards to the relationship and apologised to the Mail for mendacity.
On the time, the schoolboy requested him for a job, and Schofield later organized an interview for him. It led to a place as an ITV manufacturing assistant when he turned 18. A while afterwards, their affair started. Pictured: Phil with youthful lover leaving The Ivy Membership, London
Phil with fellow youthful colleague who turned hos lover leaving The Ivy Membership, London
Schofield admitted to dishonest on his spouse Stephanie Lowe (proper) with a youthful lover yesterday
The 61-year-old was compelled to substantiate allegations of an affair have been true as a result of his former lover – who had additionally labored on This Morning – had unexpectedly confessed all to his attorneys.
Schofield had employed high regulation agency Mishcon de Reya to characterize the younger man, now in his mid 20s, presumably believing that he would maintain quiet.
However his former lover – who the MoS has chosen to not title – advised attorneys that though he feared publicity, he was fed up mendacity in regards to the relationship.
The Mail on Sunday, which first broke the scandal, may reveal:
Schofield met his future lover on the faculty in North West England when he was in his late 40s. Some years later the youthful man turned a manufacturing assistant on This Morning when Schofield was in his early 50s and their ill-advised friendship – which grew right into a relationship – began.
The scandal over the affair follows a turbulent few months for Schofield, who for many years was ITV’s king of daytime tv. However eight days in the past he sensationally stop This Morning after 21 years after falling out with Ms Willoughby, 42. His departure got here only a day after his youthful brother Timothy was jailed for 12 years for 11 convictions of sexual offences involving a baby.
Phil with fellow youthful colleague who turned his lover leaving The Ivy Membership, London
Schofield had employed high regulation agency Mishcon de Reya to characterize the younger man, now in his mid 20s, presumably believing that he would maintain quiet (pictured leaving The Ivy collectively in 2017)
Phillip Schofield’s lover was simply 15 after they met at a chat the veteran TV presenter was giving at a theatre faculty. Pictured:Â Phillip Schofield shares emotional stroll with mum on Could 21
Final night time the ex-TV presenter described the connection as ‘unwise however not unlawful’ and appologised to his spouse
Eight days in the past Schofield sensationally stop This Morning after 21 years after falling out with Ms Willoughby, 42Â
Ms Willoughby – his buddy of greater than 14 years – was left upset that he did not inform her about his brother’s trial
Willoughby stated on Instagram that it had ‘taken time to course of’ the bombshell revelations about her ex co-host
Ms Willoughby – his buddy of greater than 14 years – was left upset that he did not inform her about his brother’s trial. It prompted Schofield to situation a press release with out consulting her that solely served to widen the rift. He stated the pair had endured some troublesome weeks however stated she remained his ‘rock’.
When he stop the present, Schofield stated: ‘I’ve all the time been proud to cowl fascinating tales on This Morning. However just lately, This Morning itself has turn into the story.
‘All through my profession in TV – together with the very troublesome previous couple of days – I’ve all the time performed my finest to be honourable and sort. I perceive that ITV has determined the present state of affairs cannot go on, and I wish to do what I can to guard the present that I really like.’
It’s now thought Schofield can be changed by Alison Hammond, who presents This Morning on Friday alongside Dermot O’Leary. Ms Willoughby has made it clear that she is her most popular alternative.
This Morning’s editor Martin Frizell can be in favour of the 2 girls pairing up after seeing the success of an all-female presenting duo on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. The instant plan is the present will return tomorrow with two stand-in presenters. Ms Willoughby will return subsequent week following her prolonged half-term break.
Holly Willoughby held Schofield’s hand as he introduced he was homosexual in February 2020 in a shifting phase on This MorningÂ
This Morning’s editor Martin Frizell can be in favour of the 2 girls pairing up after seeing the success of an all-female presenting duo on BBC One’s Strictly Come DancingÂ
Ms Willoughby is without doubt one of the most sought-after girls in showbusiness. The BBC has been attempting to poach her for years, and in November she was seen at an awards ceremony with the broadcaster’s chief content material officer Charlotte MooreÂ
However regardless of ITV confirming it has no plans to axe Ms Willoughby, there may be hypothesis throughout the business that her place could quickly turn into not possible. A supply stated: ‘There’s a rising feeling that it may be higher each for her and the programme to maneuver on so {that a} line may be drawn beneath all of it. There’s a sense that the state of affairs is quick turning into untenable for all concerned.’
Fears have additionally been expressed that the scandal may hit ITV’s share worth.
Ms Willoughby is without doubt one of the most sought-after girls in showbusiness. The BBC has been attempting to poach her for years, and in November she was seen at an awards ceremony with the broadcaster’s chief content material officer Charlotte Moore.
Schofield personally employed Ms Willoughby to current This Morning alongside him in 2009 following Fern Britton’s departure from the programme.
On the time she was recognized for internet hosting kids’s tv and ITV’s X Issue spin-off, the Xtra Issue, and there have been some considerations about her relative lack of expertise. Nonetheless, she quickly turned well-liked and eclipsed Schofield’s fame, which is alleged to have been an element of their once-close friendship souring so badly.
He declared his love for Phil at a glitzy awards ceremony… then bought shunted to a different present: KATIE HIND reveals how Schofield met starstruck teen – who would years later turn into his lover – on a go to to a theatre faculty earlier than touchdown him a job at ITVÂ
By Katie Hind Advisor Showbusiness Editor for the Mail On SundayÂ
As he surveys the ruins of his profession, Phillip Schofield’s thoughts will probably flip to a fateful telephone name he obtained some 12 years in the past.
On the time it might not have appeared remotely distinctive or ill-omened. Simply the form of name celebrities obtain on a regular basis. May he give a chat to some kids at a theatre faculty?Â
The caller was a buddy of each Schofield and his spouse Stephanie Lowe, and a relative of one of many drama college students, a 15-year-old boy.
Glad to oblige, Schofield, then in his late 40s, discovered time in his busy schedule – he had been presenting This Morning with Holly Willoughby for a number of years by this time – and travelled to the theatre in a metropolis in North-West England. By all accounts his go to induced excessive pleasure. As ever, he was enthusiastic, encouraging and beneficiant along with his time.
It’s straightforward to see how the schoolboy should have loved the eye generated by this showbiz connection and, emboldened, he requested the presenter afterwards if he would possibly assist him land a job in tv. As soon as once more, this may’t have been the primary such request Schofield obtained.
RUMOURS: Schofield and the younger man, who now we have chosen to not establish, leaving The Ivy in London in March 2017Â
Phillip Schofield with Stephanie Lowe on the Nationwide Tv Awards Arrivals on the O2  in 2014
The presenter promised to get the boy an interview on the applicable time however nothing extra. Nonetheless, it was a foot within the door and the boy, nonetheless a yr or extra away from taking his GCSEs, ensured that Schofield saved his promise.
Vibrant and handsome, although in some respects younger for his age, he made an excellent impression when he was ultimately invited to London. He started engaged on This Morning when he was in his late teenagers.
What did turn into rapidly obvious is that quickly after the boy’s arrival on the This Morning set, he appeared near the presenter, unusually so. Even when there was nothing untoward to start with, it was certainly an ill-advised friendship on the a part of Schofield, by now in his early 50s.
In tv, repute is the whole lot, significantly on the healthful finish occupied by Phil and Holly, who each loved an immaculate public picture.
Schofield’s buddy was well-liked and hard-working. That Schofield was an attentive mentor, there was little doubt. However to what stage had their relationship progressed? It was a query raised, albeit privately, by their gossipy colleagues, who famous that the pair have been usually to be discovered huddled in eateries near ITV’s riverside studios.
This, then, was the extraordinary background to Schofield’s explosive affair along with his ‘a lot youthful’ colleague, revealed for the primary time at present by The Mail on Sunday. It was not till 2020 that ITV started investigating the rumours.
This newspaper understands that the channel’s inquiry was doubtless prompted by an incident at first of that yr. For a while Schofield had been within the behavior of inviting his younger lover to glitzy capabilities, usually elevating eyebrows. At one specific occasion, an awards ceremony, Schofield’s buddy shocked his ITV colleagues by, as one put it, ‘declaring his love for Phil in no unsure phrases’.
However in keeping with ITV yesterday, the boy was much less forthcoming when bosses questioned him a while later. Each he and Schofield ‘categorically and repeatedly’ denied the rumours, as did Schofield’s company on the time, YMU. However there was a good better bombshell in retailer for the This Morning workforce.
The caller was a buddy of each Schofield and his spouse Stephanie Lowe, and a relative of one of many drama college students, a 15-year-old boy
In tv, repute is the whole lot, significantly on the healthful finish occupied by Phil and Holly, who each loved an immaculate public picture
On February 7 that yr, Schofield introduced that he was homosexual dwell on air. Flanked by his then finest buddy and co-star Holly, he broke down in tears as he revealed his ‘interior battle’.
However he was now able to ‘have fun and be proud’ of his sexuality, he stated, regardless of his 26-year marriage to spouse Stephanie, a former BBC manufacturing assistant.
He stated: ‘You by no means know what is going on on in somebody’s seemingly good life, what points they’re scuffling with, or the state of their wellbeing – and so you will not know what has been consuming me for the previous couple of years.
‘With the energy and help of my spouse and my daughters, I’ve been coming to phrases with the truth that I’m homosexual.’ Schofield was additionally comforted by former This Morning presenters Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford who knew nothing of the announcement till minutes earlier than the cameras began rolling. Not lengthy afterwards, his younger lover was moved to a different ITV present. Sources stated yesterday that his transient stint there was notable for the time he spent with Schofield.
But their secret remained intact. And their affair was nonetheless being denied two weeks in the past when The Mail on Sunday contacted ITV and Schofield’s attorneys.
Removed from getting him out of the best way, ITV stated that the younger man’s transfer had been a promotion.
Nonetheless, a supply at ITV advised us on the time: ‘He and Phil have been shut after which he simply went off to a different programme.
‘It was odd, the 2 males simply stopped speaking a lot.
‘Phil had been such a help to him, he was a very gifted and hard-working man.
‘Among the community’s greatest names expressed their shock on the time, he was extremely popular. He by no means actually spoke about it, it was very mysterious.’
There the matter rested till Schofield’s astonishing letter to me on Friday. It learn: ‘It’s important that I personally say on to you that I’m profoundly sorry to have misled you and your colleagues on the Mail by way of an e-mail despatched on my directions by my lawyer, whom I additionally misled, a couple of relationship with a colleague at This Morning.
‘On the time I genuinely thought that I used to be doing the precise factor in attempting to guard my ex-colleague whom I knew to be susceptible and who desperately wished the story to not be printed.
‘I settle for that nonetheless I mustn’t have misled you and I anticipate no mercy. I do nevertheless ask that you simply present as a lot compassion for him as attainable as he’s the harmless social gathering by not naming him. My finest needs, Phillip Schofield.’
However what had triggered this astonishing volte-face? Early final week he determined to spend an eye-watering sum on authorized illustration for his former lover. Because it transpired it was this that sealed his destiny.
Schofield employed high London regulation agency Mishcon de Reya to behave for the person, now in his mid-20s, and his personal solicitor, then arrange a name with Mishcon’s head of repute administration in an try to put a plan in movement to handle press curiosity. However the final result was one Schofield didn’t see coming.
On the attorneys’ agenda was The Mail on Sunday printed a fortnight in the past revealing that the younger man had mysteriously moved on from This Morning. There have been claims he and Schofield had fallen out and that the youthful man’s colleagues have been stunned to see him depart for pastures new. In response, Schofield complained to the Unbiased Press Requirements Organisation, the watchdog for the newspaper and journal business within the UK. It’s there to carry printed publications to account for his or her actions, defend particular person rights, uphold excessive requirements of journalism and assist to take care of freedom of expression for the press.
Similtaneously firing off his criticism, Schofield’s spinners have been briefing different publications that that they had complained and that the story shouldn’t be repeated. This newspaper launched a vigorous defence – and the criticism has now been formally withdrawn.
However it’s what occurred subsequent that has virtually definitely completed the £20 million former king of daytime tv’s profession for good. Schofield discovered that his former accomplice was not ready to lie about their affair.
He as an alternative advised his lawyer that that they had had a relationship, and that was to be his sincere stance. He added that he was merely fed up mendacity. Schofield had no approach out.
He was then compelled right into a U-turn, telling his administration firm YMU, which had represented him for 35 years, that he had lied and that he had certainly cheated on his spouse with the younger man.
YMU – extensively seen as essentially the most highly effective showbusiness company within the UK – swiftly dropped him and advised ITV bosses of his confession.
Schofield then despatched the grovelling apology to me, on Friday, admitting that he had lied to this newspaper. He additionally introduced he had stop ITV with instant impact, and wouldn’t be presenting subsequent Saturday’s British Cleaning soap Awards – a job that has been his since 2006.
ITV had no concept that Schofield was going to relinquish the present that they had provided him as a sweetener when he was ousted final weekend. Now they’re left scrambling for a substitute.
As for Schofield – as soon as deemed so highly effective at ITV that he may rent or hearth anybody he wished – he’s along with his daughters ‘licking his wounds’ as he contemplates his subsequent transfer. One factor is for positive – his probabilities of a showbiz comeback are very slim certainly.
