ITV to carry out external review over Phillip Schofield’s exit from This Morning | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV
ITV is set to carry out an external review into why Phillip Schofield left This Morning earlier this month.
A letter sent from ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall has been sent to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, DCMS Committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, and Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes.
The letter, obtained by PA, referred to wider stories about This Morning, including allegations of a “toxic culture” by Dr. Ranj Singh, who used to regularly appear on the show as an expert.
The letter read: “You will have seen the significant media coverage concerning Phillip Schofield.
“As you would expect we take the matter extremely seriously and have reviewed our own records over the weekend.
READ MORE: Eamonn Holmes’ most explosive Schofield claims – from ITV cover-up to feuds
“These show that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in late 2019/early 2020 ITV investigated.
“Both parties were questioned then and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours, as did Phillip’s then agency YMU.
“In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on the This Morning and wider Daytime team and were not provided with, and did not find any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.
“Given the ongoing rumours, we continued to ask questions of both parties, who both continued to deny the rumours, including as recently as this month.
“There has been a lot of inaccuracy in the reporting so I thought it would be useful to set out some facts.”
The letter goes on to state that the former employee Phillip admitted to having an affair with has been offered support throughout.
It continued: “The ITV employee was aged 19 when he first did work experience at This Morning in 2015 and 20 years old when he applied and succeeded in securing a job as a runner on the show.
“He subsequently applied for and was successful in securing a promotion to Loose Women in 2019. He left ITV in 2021. As you would imagine given the social media scrutiny of him, we have offered him our support throughout this period and indeed are still doing so.
“The employee has made it clear that he does not wish to be named or identified in connection with this matter. We would be grateful if you would be mindful of this.”
According to the letter, ITV has instructed Jane Mulcahy KC, of Blackstone Chambers, to “carry out an external review to establish the facts.”
“She will review our records and talk to the people involved. This work will also consider our relevant processes and policies and whether we need to change or strengthen any,” the letter went on.
ITV also said that an external review was conducted following a complaint made by Dr. Ranj and found “no evidence of bullying or discrimination”.
The letter added: “There have also been wider stories about This Morning including about a former This Morning presenter Dr Ranj.
“We were sorry to read his statement. We are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.
“Following a complaint made by Dr. Ranj, we appointed an external and independent adviser to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”
