Eamonn Holmes claims there was ‘complete cover-up’ over Phillip Schofield’s affair with youthful man

Eamonn Holmes has claimed there was a “total cover-up” over Phillip Schofield’s affair with a youthful male colleague on This Morning whereas he was married.

Holmes, 63, who additionally offered on the present, has accused Schofield of “toxicity” amid the furore over the tradition on the ITV daytime programme.

Host Schofield, 61, admitted final Friday to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague on the present and has now stop the business broadcaster and been dropped by his expertise company YMU.

Schofield on Monday hit again at critics, saying on Instagram there was “no toxicity” on the programme, including: “I hope you have noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice.”

ITV mentioned there had been an investigation in early 2020 when “rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate” however mentioned it didn’t discover “any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour”.

An announcement from the business broadcaster on 27 May mentioned: “Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency YMU.

“In addition, ITV spoke to plenty of individuals who labored on This Morning and weren’t supplied with, and didn’t discover, any proof of a relationship past rumour and hearsay… He lied to folks at ITV, from senior administration to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship.”

But Holmes instructed GB News presenter Dan Wootton: “It’s a total cover-up.

“Those in authority needed to know what was occurring and so they thought they might dodge a bullet with this.

“Which they do and they do constantly because with Schofield talking about those who speak out against him, namely me, Amanda Holden and you [Dan Wootton], you’ll be included in the toxicity that goes on… Dr Ranj [Singh] of course as well.

“And you merely sit there and suppose ‘no mate, you have had it all of your means for too lengthy’.”

Read extra:
A timeline of the This Morning controversy
ITV responds to rumours round present’s future
Why Schofield’s admission might kill off his profession

Referring to Schofield’s feedback on Instagram, Holmes mentioned: “I think that Phillip is absolutely right about toxicity.

“But my good friend, the toxicity is just not with me, Dan Wootton, or anybody else, the toxicity is with you.”

Earlier within the day, Holmes on social media described Schofield as “delusional” and mentioned he has “picked the wrong person… if you’re looking for a fight”.

ITV has been approached for remark by Sky News about Holmes’s claims.

GB News requested ITV’s managing director of media and leisure, Kevin Lygo, if there was a “cover-up” and if he “protected” Schofield.

Mr Lygo instructed a GB News producer: “We really have no more to say.”

Holmes beforehand offered This Morning on Fridays together with his spouse Ruth Langsford.

The programme’s former resident physician Dr Ranj Singh has hit out on the present’s “toxic” tradition, saying he raised issues about “bullying and discrimination” two years in the past when he labored there and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing.

Schofield stop This Morning on 20 May after greater than 20 years.

Schofield initially mentioned he was stepping down from the present as a result of it had “become the story”, following studies of a feud between him and co-host Holly Willoughby.

It got here after his brother was just lately jailed for 12 years over youngster intercourse offences.

Willoughby, 41, is because of return subsequent Monday (5 June), having gone on an early half-term vacation on 22 May.

She mentioned that “when reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not”.

“It’s been very hurtful to now find out this was a lie,” an Instagram assertion added.

Schofield has now fully resigned from ITV and been dropped by his brokers.

In his assertion to the Daily Mail he additionally admitted mendacity about his affair to his spouse, to ITV, his brokers and the media.

The controversy has raised doubts about each Willoughby’s and the present’s future, however the channel has denied studies it may very well be axed.