Phillip Schofield, the former presenter of This Morning, is back in the spotlight, stirring up controversy once again.
After his recent comments about his brother’s legal troubles and their effect on his career, insiders at ITV have accused him of not telling the truth.
In the finale of Phillip Schofield: Cast Away, which aired on Channel 5, the 62-year-old claimed he would “never in a million years” return to daytime television, insisting that he was “fired for someone else’s crime.”
ITV Insiders Speak Out
However, ITV sources are pushing back against Schofield’s narrative.
One insider shared with The Mirror that his remarks are “simply untrue” and described him as “lying again.”
They recalled how ITV supported him through his brother Timothy’s court case, only for Schofield to step back when the pressure became overwhelming.
The source explained that some relationships within the program had turned untenable, leading to an inevitable fallout.
They stated, “He admitted himself he had been lying about an affair and he resigned from ITV altogether. We didn’t sack him; he lied to us and then he resigned.”
Facing the Fallout
In the final episode of his Cast Away series, Schofield claimed he had always been candid with his colleagues regarding his brother’s legal issues.
His brother Timothy was convicted in April 2023 on 11 counts of sexual offenses involving a child, which included two counts of sexual activity with a minor.
During the show, Phillip emphasized that he did not hesitate to report his brother to the police, who, he said, commended him for seeking justice.
Reflecting on the intense media scrutiny, Schofield expressed his frustration: “Even though they knew all of the facts, the papers painted me out to be some sort of complicit agent. That was when my world started to collapse.”
He recounted the emotional toll it took to inform his mother about his brother’s crimes and the stress he faced while explaining everything to ITV management.
A Shocking Phone Call
Schofield shared a vivid account of the day he learned he would not return to This Morning.
He described receiving a call from his agent, who delivered the shock news: “I’ve got a bit of a shock, I’m afraid you’ve been let go from This Morning.”
Phillip was taken aback and questioned why he would be fired for actions outside his control.
He felt that the decision was influenced by the bad publicity surrounding his brother’s case, stating, “I was fired for the bad publicity, for someone else’s crime.”
Amidst this turmoil, he admitted to having had a secret affair with a younger male colleague at ITV, although he firmly denied any allegations of grooming.
While he claimed he resigned, ITV’s official stance remained that he stepped away due to the surrounding controversies.
The External Review
An external review commissioned by ITV, led by Jane Mulcahy KC, investigated allegations of an affair involving Schofield and a colleague in 2019.
The review highlighted ITV’s efforts to uncover the truth but ultimately found no evidence to substantiate the rumors.
Interestingly, Schofield chose not to participate in the investigation, citing health concerns.
Mulcahy’s report concluded that there was no evidence of a “toxic” culture within ITV.
She urged the network to create a safer environment for junior staff members who might fear repercussions for speaking out.
A Future in Question
As Phillip Schofield: Cast Away came to a close, he expressed uncertainty about his future in television.
Fighting back tears, he declared, “Now I’m not saying I’m done, but you know, never in a million years will I go back to daytime telly. I’ve lived a hundred TV lives.”
The episode ended on a heartwarming note as Schofield reunited with his daughter, Molly, who proudly stated, “I’m proud to say he’s my dad.”
Catch Phillip Schofield: Cast Away over three nights, beginning September 30 at 9:00 PM on Channel 5, or stream it on My5. What lies ahead for Schofield remains to be seen.
Mine Crypto. Earn $GOATS while it is free! Click Here!!