ITV investigated rumours of relationship three years ago but presenter ‘denied’ it

ITV investigated rumours of Phillip Schofield’s affair with a younger employee as early as 2020, but the presenter repeatedly denied it and no further evidence was found, the broadcaster has said.

A spokesperson said that ITV investigated the rumours in early 2020 but that both Mr Schofield and the other employee “categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours, as did Phillip’s then agency YMU.”

The broadcaster said it also spoke to other employees at This Morning but “were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour”.

ITV said Mr Schofield’s statement on the affair confirmed that “he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters” over the matter.

The veteran TV presenter admitted to having an affair with a younger male colleague while working on This Morning and lying about it, describing the incident as “unwise but not illegal”.

The affair took place while he was still married to his wife of 30 years and mother of his two children, Stephanie Lowe.

Questions had been raised about ITV’s knowledge of Mr Schofield’s behaviour after ex-ITV presenter Eamonn Holmes accused them of a cover-up.

In a tweet, the former This Morning presenter said: “Four high members of Itv management knew what sort of man he was …and NEVER once took action to prevent him controlling or taking advantage of his position over young people.”

Tory MP and former GMTV host Esther McVey on Saturday questioned whether ITV’s chief executive Carolyn McCall should resign amid speculation of a further shake-up of This Morning.

“People could lose their jobs over this, from the Chief Executives right the way down,” she told GB News. “So will we see heads rolling and will we see this show go?”

“I would say that it’s a matter of days now for the chief executive there and other people because they’re going to have to draw a line. They’re going to have to say this is definitive.”

Mr Schofield left This Morning after more than 20 years last week following reports of a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby, and yesterday confirmed he is stepping down from ITV with immediate effect and will not host next month’s British Soap Awards as planned.

His agency YMU released a statement announcing it had “agreed to part company” with the TV presenter after learning “important new information about our client”.