‘I’ll tell you what’s toxic – aubergine!’ Bizarre moment This Morning editor avoids question and asks reporter if she likes aubergine when quizzed over ‘toxic work environment’
- This Morning editor Martin Frizell today dodged questions outside his home
- The ITV executive hit back at a reporter by asking whether she likes aubergine
This is the bizarre moment under-fire This Morning editor Martin Frizell is quizzed about an alleged ‘toxic work environment’ at ITV – and responds with a question about aubergine.
Mr Frizell was approached by a reporter at Sky News ahead of Holly Willoughby’s return to the show this morning following the furore over Phillip Schofield’s departure after his admission of an affair with a younger colleague.
Asked if there is a ‘toxic’ work environment at This Morning, Mr Frizell told the reporter: ‘I’ll tell you what’s toxic and I’ve always found it toxic. Aubergine. Do you like aubergine? Do you? Do you like aubergine because I don’t like aubergine. It’s just a personal thing.’
The This Morning editor, 64, who is married to ITV presenter Fiona Phillips, was approached outside his home by the reporter, who asked: ‘Is there a toxic work environment at This Morning?’
Responding to Mr Frizell’s bizarre reaction, John Nicolson, an MP and member of the culture, media and sport committee, tweeted: ‘This is a deeply inappropriate and disrespectful way to respond to questions about safeguarding vulnerable staff and bullying in the workplace at ITV.’
The scandal surrounding This Morning exploded after Philip Schofield (left) admitted having an affair with a much younger man
Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes and former resident TV doctor Dr Ranj Singh have both claimed there is a ‘toxic’ culture behind the scenes at the show.
Holmes has alleged there was a ‘total cover-up’ over the Schofield affair, while Dr Ranj said he raised concerns about ‘bullying and discrimination’ two years ago when he worked there and afterwards felt like he was ‘managed out’ for whistleblowing.
In a letter from ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall to Parliament on Wednesday, she said an external review conducted following a complaint made by Dr Ranj found ‘no evidence of bullying or discrimination’.
Mr Frizell has previously claimed that ex-stars of the show are ‘settling scores’ in response to accusations surrounding This Morning’s allegedly toxic work environment.
This Morning editor Martin Frizell (pictured) dodged questions outside his home
‘I think you have got to read between the lines, I think some scores are being settled,’ the ITV executive said.
He also denied being concerned about an external review being launched by ITV following concerns raised by MPs and industry figures.
Schofield previously claimed there was ‘no toxicity’ at This Morning and that it is ‘the best show to work on’.
In a statement last week, the ITV star claimed a ‘handful of people with a grudge against me’ had made complaints about the show.
‘In all the years I worked there there was no toxicity,’ the 61-year-old TV presenter said.
Schofield’s statement came after he stepped down from presenting This Morning after more than 20 years and was dropped by his agent in May over an affair with a young male runner on the show.
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