Former This Morning host Phillip Schofield paid his ex-girlfriend a six-figure contract fee, it has been revealed.
This arrangement becomes a mutual gag from both talking about their relationship.
A former colleague of the presenter, who is 34 years his junior, signed a non-disclosure agreement as part of the agreement reached.
This has left him unable to discuss the scandal that brought the host's decades-long television career to an ignominious end last year.
Mr Schofield, 61, has kept a low profile since admitting extramarital affairs last May and an unusually serious charge of lying to his ITV employer.
The Mail on Sunday reported that Schofield's representatives confirmed last year that a deal had been signed that included compensation payments for losses suffered by Schofield.
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The man was only 15 years old when he met Schofield. Thanks to Schofield, he landed a job as a runner on This Morning at the age of 19.
Their romantic relationship began when the man was 20 years old, after which he moved on to another ITV daytime show, Loose Women.
He then received another payment and left the channel.
Last night, a source said the payments were part of an agreement that also included an NDA barring both men from speaking about the scandal.
Last June, Schofield spoke to The Sun about his struggles.
he said: “You watch every layer of yourself slipping, slipping, slipping away.
“It was important to you. But I have a right to it. It's my fault. I deserve it.”
He also vowed never to use social media again.
