Phillip Schofield paid a younger male colleague with whom he had an affair a six-figure sum as part of a deal that included a non-disclosure agreement, it has been revealed.
Lawyers for the television presenter confirmed that the large payout covered the young man's legal costs and included compensation for the loss of his job and home.
The arrangement included a mutual non-disclosure agreement.
He has hosted the daytime show “This Morning” for over 20 years. schofield He resigned in May 2023 following reports of a rift with his co-stars. holly willoughby.
A week later he Publicly admitted to 'unwise but not illegal' relationship She married a former male colleague and resigned from ITV altogether.
Schofield and former co-presenter Holly Willoughby (2020). Photo: P.A.
In December, the results of an external review regarding his retirement from the broadcasting station were made public, and the following was revealed. The presenter “reluctantly declined” to participate. His mental condition was “deteriorating.”
Young men also refused to participate.
Because this was not a statutory investigation, there was “no power to compel people to cooperate,” the jury said, adding that all those who cooperated spoke voluntarily.
Ms Schofield, now 61, told the BBC in an interview last year that their first romantic encounter happened in a dressing room and that their first sexual encounter was when the man was 20.
He said the two were “not boyfriends” and had had five or six romantic encounters over the course of several months.
The host said he understood the incident could be considered an abuse of power, but “didn't feel that way at the time.”
ITV confirmed Ben Shepherd and Cat Deeley become new permanent hosts of This Morning In last week's announcement.
