The future of This Morning has been sensationally called into question amid talk of a 'cover up' surrounding Phillip Schofield's affair.
Last night the veteran TV presenter confessed to having relations with a younger male colleague who asked him for help getting a job in television.
Phil admitted he was still married to wife Stephanie Lowe when an 'on off relationship began' and said he lied to both his and family and ITV about what was really going on.
In his bombshell mea culpa the 61-year-old was at pains to insist that his employer was left in the dark, insisting he is now 'painfully conscious' of how he hid it from them.
Phil's agent and ITV then both released further statements blasting the presenter for 'admissions of deceit' and to announce they were now parting ways with the TV star who had 'gone against their values and broken their trust'.
After ITV reported to be 'angry and stunned' by Phillip's confession, former employee Eamonn Holmes took to Twitter with a different version of events.
"Schofield has finally been caught out ... But he's not the only guilty party. 4 high members of Itv management knew what sort of man he was," accused Eamonn.
The TV presenter then said he and wife Ruth Langsford, who previously presented with him on This Morning before moving to Loose Women, had been 'taken for fools.'
The pair had publicly supported Phil when he came out as gay in February 2020.
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Eamonn said: "Ruth and I deceived and lied to . One day I will tell the story. We had no issue with him being Gay, only support. What transpired took us for fools . The man told us complete lies and we unfortunately believed him."
A source then said if allegations of a cover-up surrounding Phillip Scofield's work relationship were indeed true 'very senior heads could roll.'
"If there's any suggestions of a cover-up they could be culpable," a source told The Sun. 'It's also possible that This Morning could end up getting the axe."
The show had paid a sombre but gushing tribute to Phil this week in the first show back since his exit.
Reading from autocue, Alison Hammond Phil ' one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had".
Dermot O'Leary continued: "Everyone on and off screen at ITV and This Morning want to say a huge thank you to Phil for what he's done to make this show such a success over the last 21 years."
And while Eamonn Holmes and a number of famous faces weighed in on the situation on Friday night, Phillip's former co-star and ex 'BFF' Holly Willoughby stayed silent.
ITV had previously given Holly extra time off around her already planned half-term break after Phillip stood down from This Morning last weekend.
The pair were said to be 'barely speaking' with rumours of a backstage feud before Phil made the decision to depart the flagship show after 20 years at the helm.
Famous faces lined up to join Holly and replace Phil have included former This Morning star Rylan Clark.
While Carol Vorderman said 'my money is on Alison Hammond' during an discussion about the drama on Friday night's Have I Got News For You. The pre-recorded topical BBC news show aired just hours after Phil's statement.
Speaking for the first time about his affair, Phillip said: “The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to [to the press] and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning,” he said.
“I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
A spokesperson for ITV said the broadcaster had been 'badly let down' by the 'admissions of deceit' made by Schofield after the presenter admitted to the affair
“We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield,” the spokesperson said.
“The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust.
“Phillip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down."
An ITV Spokesperson told the Mirror: "This Morning is not under review and there’s no plans for the show to be axed. This Morning will return on Monday."
