Phillip Schofield, 61, has denied allegations of grooming a younger male colleague following his departure from British daytime television programme ‘This Morning’.
The popular programme is known for providing daily doses of entertainment, current news, guests and recipes through segments hosted by other figures in British television.
Schofield said he feels ‘embarrassed and ashamed’ after admitting to an affair with a younger male colleague who is now in his mid-20s.
The veteran presenter of 41 years, who resigned from British broadcaster ITV last week, confessed to an ‘unwise but not illegal relationship’ amid reports of a rift with co-presenter Holly Willoughby.
Phillip allegedly met the man when he was a 15 year old drama student, however, admits the affair took place when the man was older and had begun working at ITV.
Schofield was still married at the time to his wife. They separated in 2020 after he came out as gay.
In a ‘mea culpa’ statement to the Daily Mail, whom Schofield apologized to for ‘misleading’, he declares ‘The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship I was having with someone working on This Morning’.
Phillip details how he ‘met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him get into television’.
He also denies lying to protect his career, stating that his lover didn't want his name publicized. The Daily Mail complied.
In a separate interview with the BBC, Schofield details the fallout since his departure, referring to it as ‘relentless’.
‘Do [you] want me to die? Because that's where I am’ he continues.
‘I have lost everything. My girls saved my life’.
He also urged the media to not bother his former lover: ‘There is an innocent person here who didn't do anything wrong, who is vulnerable and probably feels like i do’.
If you or someone you know is struggling in the UK with a similar situation,
Samaritans can be contacted for free by calling 116 123 or emailing [email protected]
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