Phillip Schofield had affair with much younger male ITV employee while still married | The Sun

PHILLIP Schofield had an affair with a "much younger" ITV worker while still married, The Sun can reveal.

The 61-year-old – who was axed by This Morning just last week – has now been dropped by his agent after the affair with the male ITV employee was exposed, which was not illegal.

It’s understood the younger man is not a public figure and did not want the relationship to be made public.

Breaking his silence, Schofield said: "“It is with the most profound regret that after 35 years of being faultlessly managed by YMU I have agreed to step down from their representation with immediate effect.”

YMU – Schofield's agency – released a statement, saying: “Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU’s whole business, defining everything we do.

"Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust.

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"This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield."

Phillip Schofield was still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe at the time of the affair, who he married in 1993.

He opened up about being gay in 2020, but remained married to wife Stephanie.

Schofield was only just axed from This Morning last week — unable to bid farewell to his fans.

His exit was confirmed after weeks of intense speculation about his future and a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby, 42 — and as an insider revealed the row was even putting off guests from appearing with them.

It comes after his brother Tim Schofield was jailed after being found guilty of "emotionally blackmailing" a teen into sex acts and forcing him to watch porn.

And days later, Phillip Schofield, the host of 21 years had been in an office with show chief Martin Frizzell and told his contract, due to end this summer, was not being renewed.

Devastated Phil then drove 300 miles from London to Cornwall to see mum Pat, 85, where he spent Friday pouring his heart out to her on a coastal walk.

Phil, 61, was also expected to leave Dancing on Ice, which the pair also presented together.

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But he will host other ITV shows.

A source said: “It’s been a very difficult time for them but they talked about the end of an era and called something of a truce.”

Phil made no mention of Holly in a statement announcing his shock departure.

He said: “I’ve always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.

“Throughout my career in TV — including the very difficult last few days — I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.

“I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.

“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope the show can move forward to a bright future.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me — especially This Morning’s amazing viewers — and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”

Holly, 42, kept her statement brief, saying: “It’s been over 13 great years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all of his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The sofa won’t feel the same without him.”

Bosses had decided the situation was unworkable following clear on-screen tension between them which led to the show shedding 170,000 viewers.

Meanwhile another insider revealed that some celebrity and political guests was requesting to appear on Fridays with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary rather than Holly and Phil.

The insider said: "Senior producers could no longer ignore this and it was becoming a real problem.”

Staff had been told to prepare for a June 6 meeting with ITV’s head of daytime Emma Gormley at which a big announcement was due.

But it seems the axe was wielded quicker.

A TV source: “The tense atmosphere backstage has been completely unworkable and toxic so bosses had to step in and make a decision for the sake of the cast, crew and future of the show.

"Phil was fully planning on seeing out his contract with a stoic, “grin-and-bear-it attitude” and thought he could navigate the rough waters.

“But bosses were worried they might lose their golden girl Holly so decided to pull the plug on Phil. He was devastated.

“Crew were none the wiser when they left work on Friday afternoon and were fully expecting to see Phil turn up to work on Monday.

“It has felt like the writing was on the wall for some time, but neither he nor many show staff were expecting ITV’s knee-jerk reaction.

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“Producers have compiled an emergency team of fill-in hosts from their presenting roster to keep the show afloat for the next week.

"But no decisions have been made about who will sit alongside Holly for the long-term.”

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