This Morning staff who knew about Phillip Schofield’s affair feared they’d lose their jobs if they spoke about it, a probe by the broadcaster has reportedly found.
Schofield left ITV in May after confessing to having a “consensual on-off relationship” with a younger male runner while he was married to Stephanie Lowe At the time, the 61-year old also admitted lying to ITV, his colleagues, friends and his agents, YMU, who subsequently dropped him from their books.
Following a lengthy investigation, a report said ITV had a responsibility to give its stars clear guidelines on how to conduct themselves as employees. It found no evidence of a toxic culture on This Morning or any other ITV daytime show.
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An external investigation conducted by barrister Jane Mulcahy KC also revealed ITV that made “considerable efforts” to uncover the truth behind the affair. It reports that despite their best efforts, however, executives were “unable to uncover the relevant evidence” until Schofield’s confession in May and reported that only one person interviewed knew of the affair, but didn’t report it.
The report reads: “Only one person to whom I spoke had any knowledge of an affair between PS (Phillip Schofield) and PX (unnamed employee) prior to May 2023 (they became aware in 2021) and that former junior employee did not report their knowledge at the time. Nor did others report suspicions from much earlier in 2017.”
Ms Mulcahy KC wrote in her summary: “That former junior employee did not report their knowledge at the time. Nor did others report suspicions from much earlier in 2017.
“This leads me to emphasise in my recommendations the importance of junior employees having the confidence to raise concerns to management in line with ITV’s Speaking Up policy.
“I have no doubt that senior management are absolutely wedded to the importance of an open culture. But this culture is still not filtering down to junior employees, many of whom remain convinced that to speak out will have a detrimental impact on their careers.”
According to The Sun, she added: “Managers should ensure all staff know there is a safe space to complain or raise concerns. No one should be worried that their job will be at risk because they have raised an issue.”
One ITV staff member told The Sun: “The findings were not surprising to say the least. That’s not to say we all agree with them. Rumours of the affair were swirling around the entire floor from 2019.
“It seems utterly implausible only one person knew. It’s a predictably sanitised version of events. But lessons will have been learned and bosses are adamant that they are embroiled in no more scandal. Generally it is a happy ship here. Everyone just wants to move on now and start afresh.”
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
It is understood Phillip Schofield “reluctantly declined” to take part in an external review into the circumstances behind his departure from the flagship company. The investigation claims he refused to take part because of “the risk to his health”.
Ms Mulcahy KC added that she has been informed that Phillip’s mental health has deteriorated since he left the daytime the show. Schofield’s long-time co-star Holly Willoughby found herself wrapped up in the highly publicised scandal and also stepped down a few months later after she became the victim of a kidnap and murder plot. The high-profile lawyer was tasked with examining how much ITV knew about Schofield’s workplace relationship with the unnamed personal assistant.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She was also tasked with looking into the way in which ITV handled complaints about This Morning overall. After Schofield’s affair was exposed, several former stars and employees spoke out about the alleged “toxic” environment on the show. General Counsel and Company Secretary at ITV, Kyla Mullins said following the announcement: “There was a lot of unfair, inaccurate and damaging speculation about This Morning’s culture. The plc Board met with KC this week and she told us: ‘There is no finding of a ‘toxic’ culture, and had there been one, I would have said so.”
Daily Star has contacted ITV for comment.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
