Phillip Schofield’s This Morning departure addressed by hosts
This Morning stars could be probed about Phillip Schofield as part of the external review ITV has announced they are carrying out.
The company has instructed a barrister to carry out the process following Phillip’s statement and departure from This Morning and the broadcaster.
A letter from ITV Chief Executive Dame Carolyn McCall to culture secretary Lucy Frazer, DCMS Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage and Ofcom’s chief executive Dame Melanie Dawe revealed the details.
“We have now instructed Jane Mulcahy KC (Blackstone Chambers) to carry out an external review to establish the facts,” she wrote.
“She will review our records and talk to people involved.”
This would imply that current and past employees of This Morning may be asked to give statements.
This would include Phillip’s former co-host Holly Willoughby and Friday presenters Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond, who have been covering the show during the half-term break.
It is also possible that former This Morning contributor Dr Ranj Singh could be questioned following his statement on Twitter about a “toxic culture” on the daytime television show.
The medic claimed that he was “managed out” after taking his concerns about how people were being treated to the top of ITV.
“I genuinely loved and valued working there. However, over time, I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind the scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated,” he said.
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This is acknowledged in the letter as Dame Carolyn concedes: “We were sorry to read his [Dr Ranj] statement.
“We are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have,” she continued.
“Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”
Phillip sensationally quit the ITV daytime show after 21 years earlier this month following rumours of a deterioration in his friendship with Holly Willoughby.
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Just six days later, he unleashed a further bombshell when he admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger ITV employee in an explosive statement.
Upon the announcement, the 61-year-old resigned from ITV entirely, despite the fact that he was scheduled to present this weekend’s British Soap Awards.
He was also dropped from his talent agency, YMU, for lying about the affair.
On Tuesday he was also removed from his role as an Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust.
“In light of Phillip’s recent admissions, we have agreed with him that it is no longer appropriate to work together,” a spokesperson for the charity told Express.co.uk.
Express.co.uk has contacted ITV as well as representatives for Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary.
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