ITV ‘Unable To Uncover’ Proof Of Phillip Schofield Affair, Inquiry Finds

Phillip Schofield attends the ITV Palooza 2022 at The Royal Festival Hall in London. (Photo by Fred Duval / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)

An external inquiry examining ITV’s conduct has found that the broadcaster exerted significant effort to uncover the truth about a reported affair between former This Morning host Phillip Schofield and a production assistant on the show.

The inquiry, led by lawyer Jane Mulcahy KC, was initiated after Schofield acknowledged having an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a young staffer, admitting to the relationship after initial denials. Details first emerged in a report in The Sun newspaper and Schofield’s eventual admission in late May 2023.

The investigation focused on ITV’s awareness of Schofield’s relationship with “Person X” and the broadcaster’s response to complaints about This Morning. Despite the scandal, the identity of the staffer, referred to as “Person X,” remained confidential in the report to safeguard their privacy.

Following the exposure of the affair, several former contributors and employees described the show’s environment as “toxic.” Mulcahy’s investigation involved interviews with 48 individuals, including ITV staff at various levels, former employees, on-screen personalities, and talent managers. However, both Schofield and “Person X” declined to participate. Schofield said his “mental health has since deteriorated” and “Person X” expressed a desire to move on.

Despite the missing participants, Mulcahy’s findings indicated that ITV exerted significant effort to uncover the truth about the relationship after initial denials from the involved parties

“ITV’s management made considerable efforts to determine the truth about an alleged relationship between Schofield and Person X following on from the publication of a story in The Sun newspaper in early December 2019,” Mulcahy wrote. “However, in the face of the denials of the individuals involved, ITV was unable to uncover the relevant evidence until PS’s admission in late May 2023.”

Schofield’s involvement in the affair led to his departure from the show, ending a notable two-decade tenure. His co-anchor Holly Willoughby also left the show months later, following a kidnap plot against her.