Phil's back smiling but bullying row drags on

Scandal-hit star’s night out with pal Feltz | Fresh claims of toxic culture by ITV workers

- MARK JEFFERIES

DISGRACED star Phillip Schofield is seen smiling while out with Vanessa Feltz, weeks after he quit ITV over his fling with a younger male colleague.

But as the former This Morning host tries to move on from his own scandal, ex-bosses were yesterday facing fresh claims of bullying and a toxic culture at the channel.

Schofield, 61, was spotted laughing and joking with pal Feltz at a restaurant this week.

Staff on This Morning told MPs they have faced more bullying and discrimination since ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall was grilled in the Commons in June on Schofield's departure.

There were claims then workers had been harassed. Some staff have also since complained they were picked on for speaking up about the bullying at the channel.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to Dame Carolyn on July 24 to say: "In the month that has passed since your appearance before the committee, we have been contacted by a large number of individuals who have identified themselves as working or having worked on This Morning or as part of the wider ITV Daytime team.

"These individuals speak with great pride about working at ITV and are hugely positive about many of their colleagues. However, they also raise claims of toxic working cultures, bullying, discrimination and harassment.