Phillip Schofield made a substantial payment to a colleague he had an affair with, in a deal that included a non-disclosure agreement, it has emerged. The former This Morning presenter left ITV last year after admitting he had lied about the relationship.
Lawyers for the star confirmed he later helped pay his former lover's legal fees and compensation for the loss of his job and home. Details of the payment, first reported by the Mail on Sunday, claimed Schofield handed over a six-figure sum under the terms of the NDA, which applied to both parties.
Schofield left This Morning in May 2023 following reports of a rift with co-star Holly Willoughby. Days later, he confirmed he had had a 'consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague' while still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe. The presenter had first met the man when he was 15, later helped him secure work experience on the show, and the relationship began when the man was 20.
After the story emerged, Schofield apologised for lying and left ITV with immediate effect. In an interview with BBC News, he called the relationship a 'grave error' and said his 'career is over'. He acknowledged the power dynamics, saying it could be perceived as an abuse of power but that wasn't how it felt at the time.
ITV conducted a review into its handling of the affair, finding it had made 'considerable efforts' to uncover the truth in 2020, but both parties had 'repeatedly denied' the relationship. Schofield declined to take part due to health risks. Both he and his former partner are said to be in a fragile state. This Morning later announced Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard as its new presenters.
