We trusted Phillip.. we feel badly let down

ITV boss orders barrister-led review of This Morning fiasco

- TOM BRYANT

ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall has told how Phillip Schofield was denying having an affair with a much younger staff member right up until this month after repeated grillings.

The chief executive laid bare the scale of the shamed former This Morning host's deception as she ordered a barrister-led review into the scandal.

Dame Carolyn told how ITV investigated claims of Schofield's affair with a show runner when rumours started circulating in 2019 and followed that up with further questioning.

In a letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, Culture Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage and Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes, she wrote: "Phillip made assurances to us and his agency which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down."

It comes as the Mirror can reveal staff on This Morning were yesterday reassured the show was safe at a team meeting.

A source said: "It was made abundantly clear.... the show, and their jobs, weren't going anywhere."