The revelation that Holly Willoughby’s former co-anchor Phillip Schofield had misled her about his relationship with a younger coworker was described as “very hurtful” by the former host.

Schofield acknowledged having a relationship with a younger male ITV employee on Friday while he was still married.

Willoughby stated in a statement: “I personally questioned Phil if this was genuine and was told it was not when allegations of this relationship first appeared.

“To now learn that this was a lie has been very hurtful.”

Willoughby wrote on Instagram that it had “taken time to process yesterday’s news”.

For 14 years, the two co-hosted the ITV daytime program This Morning before Schofield left last week.

After confessing to the relationship with the individual, which he called “unwise, but not illegal,” Schofield left ITV on Friday.

Eamonn Holmes and Dan Wootton, two former ITV daytime stars, said the disclosures raised concerns about how much the network’s executives knew about the relationship.

ITV reacted on Saturday by claiming that it had looked into rumors that Schofield was dating a younger employee in 2020, but that both parties had “repeatedly denied” it.

Further to our statement from last night, ITV can confirm that when allegations of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an ITV employee initially surfaced in early 2020, ITV looked into them.

Both parties, as well as Phillip’s former agency YMU, were questioned and categorically and repeatedly refuted the rumors.

“In addition, ITV spoke to a number of persons who worked on This Morning and did not get any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumor, nor did it locate any.

“Phillip’s statement yesterday reveals that he misled ITV personnel regarding this relationship, including senior management, presenters, [Schofield’s agents] YMU, the media, and others,” according to the statement.

In a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday, Schofield admitted to the relationship, saying: “I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”

At the time, he and Stephanie Lowe were still wed. He came out as gay in 2020, and they split up.

According to Schofield, he is “so, very, very sorry” for cheating on his wife and lying about the relationship to his friends, family, coworkers, agents, employers, and the media.

Contrary to rumors, the man and I first met when he was a youngster and I was requested to assist him break into the television industry; nevertheless, it wasn’t until he started working on the show that it developed into something more than simply a friendship.

Additionally, he declared that he would “reflect on my very bad judgment in both engaging in the relationship and later lying about it.”

It came after months of social media speculation regarding Schofield’s romantic relationships.

Due to his departure from ITV, the 61-year-old will no longer host the British Soap Awards the following month.

Additionally, he won’t be the star of a brand-new prime-time series that the network had earlier this week claimed to be in development with him.

On Saturday, Dermot O’Leary, who has been filling in for Schofield on This Morning since his departure, declined to comment on the situation.

In front of reporters, he said, “I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment, especially without any knowledge.” He hosts a weekend show on BBC Radio 2.

After news of a falling out with co-star Willoughby surfaced last week, Schofield resigned from his position at This Morning.

Since 2002, he had hosted the ITV program; in 2009, Willoughby had joined him as a co-host.

Schofield said in a statement released on Friday that the romance he had with the unnamed colleague had nothing to do with his decision to leave This Morning.

On Thursday, May 18, he made his last appearance on the show before announcing his departure the following weekend.

At the beginning of Monday’s broadcast, hosts Hammond and O’Leary paid tribute to Schofield.

Willoughby is now taking a break from the program, but he will resume his presenting responsibilities on Monday, June 5.

Following Schofield’s disclosure of the affair, the talent agency YMU has also severed its relationship with him.

In a statement to the BBC, Schofield said: “I have agreed to resign from my representation with YMU with immediate effect after 35 years of being faultlessly managed by them.

Timothy Schofield, his brother, was found guilty of abusing a youngster sexually and sentenced to 12 years in prison in May.