We're so relieved..let's just move on

Show cleared over 'toxic' claim

- TOM BRYANT

THIS Morning staff have hit out at the "unfair witch hunt" that has rocked the show after it was cleared yesterday of having a toxic culture.

Sources said there was relief but not surprise at the findings in the external review by Jane Mulcahy KC.

The programme had come under fire from MPs and stars such as Dr Ranj, who used to work on it.

But Mulcahy said that for the period under review, there was no finding of a toxic culture.

And she found ITV made considerable efforts to seek out the truth on an alleged relationship between Phillip Schofield and a runner on the show in 2019 but was unable to uncover relevant evidence.

The 61-year-old, who shares two children with wife Stephanie, left the daytime show in May after he admitted to lying about a past relationship with a younger male ex-colleague.

ITV bosses previously said Schofield and his ex-lover repeatedly denied allegations of a relationship until the presenter quit ITV and officially apologised.

A This Morning source said: "The claims of toxicity were grossly unfair and super-charged by MPs who were in it to make a name for themselves.

"Everyone is glad this review has found nothing untoward. People just T want to move on but there is a sense of anger about what has unfolded."