FURIOUS ITV staff have launched an external investigation into Phillip Schofield’s affair with a female colleague.
The report, published on Thursday, revealed that only one person knew about their relationship – and they didn’t find out until 2021.
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A report on the Phillip Schofield affair has been publishedCredit: Enterprise News and Pictures
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ITV staff launched an investigation into Schofield’s affairCredit: Pixel8000
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The investigation was launched in June after Schofield clarified the link Credit: Louis Wood
The runner, who was at least 30 years younger than Schofield, made his ITV debut in 2017 and the presenter admitted they shared a moment in his dressing room that same year.
The former This Morning presenter, 61, and his ex-lover were due to be questioned amid the review – after their affair came to light in May.
However, it was revealed yesterday that the pair had turned down the collaboration – along with four others.
And now ITV workers have called the probe a “whitewash”.
One employee told The Sun: “The findings of this report are not surprising to say the least.
“This does not mean that we all agree with them – rumors about the affair have been circulating all over the floor since 2019.
“Even the talent – the high-profile names – were aware of the gossip even if they didn’t have proof or didn’t ask the right questions to the right people.
“It seems extremely improbable that only one person knew. It’s a predictably watered-down version of events.
“But lessons will be learned – and bosses are adamant they are no longer involved in the scandal.
“Overall it’s a really happy ship – and this marks the beginning of a new era. Everyone now just wants to move on and start over.”
Another member of staff told MailOnline: “There is a gap between this report and reality.
“What is clear is that ITV will need more than policies and procedures to address its culture of silence.”
The probe was “cleaned” by the staff.
Sources at ITV say they have ‘full confidence’ in This Morning editor Martin Frizell and head of daytime Emma Gormley.
There have been calls to oust chief executive Carolyn McCall and her number two Kevin Lygo, although insiders now think their jobs will be safe too.
In May, Schofield, 61, admitted he had been in a relationship with a much younger man who worked with him on This Morning and later lied about it.
In a bombshell statement to the Daily Mail, the veteran TV host admitted that he and the man began a relationship that was more than friendship. The former TV presenter describes it as ‘unwise, but not illegal’.
In Jane Mulcahy KC’s report, Schofield is identified as PS and the runner PX as Person X.
Ms Mulcahy wrote: “PS I reluctantly decline[d]’ my invitation to participate in the Review because of the danger to his health.
“I am informed that PS’s mental health has since deteriorated.”
It said the runner “wanted to get on with his life and was not prepared to help” in the review.
Schofield was axed from This Morning in May and then admitted to having an affair after rumors began to circulate.
The report revealed that of the 48 people interviewed, only one person knew about the affair before May.
And they were only told two years before.
The findings also suggest that one person is not Holly Willoughby since she was a junior on ITV.
The review found that the TV made “considerable efforts” to find out the truth about the relationship, but “was unable to uncover the relevant evidence” until Schofield admitted it.
ITV chairman Andy Costlett said: “The KC audit clearly shows that considerable effort was made by ITV management to establish the truth about the alleged relationship between PS and Person X following media speculation.
“However, no concerns were reported and in the face of denials from the individuals involved, ITV was unable to uncover the relevant evidence until PS’s confession at the end of May 2023.
“KC makes it clear that senior management at ITV and the senior team at This Morning were unaware of the nature of the relationship until PS’s statement in May 2023.
“We also asked KC to review how we treated Person X and KC found that the company provided him with significant support.”
Schofield and the runner – identified only as Person X – both “vehemently denied” any affair.
Person X was asked 12 times, including twice in the presence of HR staff.
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There have been calls to oust CEO Carolyn McCall and her number two Kevin Lygo Credit: Getty
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