Eight ITV household names ‘raised concerns' about Phillip Schofield's ‘toxic behaviour'

Phillip Scholfield

Eight big ITV household names raised concerns about Phillip Schofield’s “toxic behaviour” but their worries remained “under a cloud”. According to journalist and TV presenter, Dan Wootton, several ITV stars knew of Phillip’s affair and raised their concerns to ITV bosses. The journalist also revealed he had himself complained about the situation to ITV but was only able to write a “pale imitation” of the story.

Phillip

Phillip Scholfield

Writing in his Mail Online column, the TV presenter said: “I was executive editor of The Sun at that point and had spoken to eight household name ITV stars who were raising concerns about Phillip’s ‘toxic behaviour’ specifically the inappropriate relationship with the man.”

Mr Wootton added: “I pushed ITV’s Group Corporate Affairs and Communications Director Paul Moore, ITV has a duty to investigate the information we were presenting to him. What harm is there in establishing the facts to ensure duty of care to their young staff member? But he made it clear the broadcaster had no intention of doing so.”

The Mirror reports the revelations come as Phillip Schofield, 61, announced he was leaving the ITV show, This Morning, which he co-presented with Holly Willoughby, 42.

The former ITV star dropped a bombshell confession of an affair with a much younger member of ITV staff while he was still married, which he said was “unwise” but “not illegal”.

Since the confession, Holly has said that Phillip “lied” to her about his affair with the young ITV staff member. In a statement, she revealed it had “taken time” to process the news and that it was very “hurtful”. Others that have called out Phillip include former This Morning star, Eamonn Holmes, who labelled him a “liar” and a “toxic person”.

Kim Woodburn and Katie Hopkins are among other famous faces who have hit out at Phillip but refused to name his former colleague with whom he had a relationship with.

Dan Wootton

ITV claimed it launched an investigation into the alleged affair but was “lied” to about it. A released statement read: “ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated. Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency YMU.”

The statement goes on to say: “In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.”

ITV also revealed that Phillip had “lied” to people at ITV, “from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship.”

Phillip, who quit his 20-year-run on This Morning, said the relationship occurred during his 30-year marriage to Stephanie Lowe, with whom he shares two daughters.

Phillip covered up the fling for years, which he said was in a bid to “protect” his former colleague, but insists the relationship was not ‘illegal’.

Express.co.uk has reached out to ITV for comment on the report.