ITV 'urge staff to declare relationships' in wake of Phillip Schofield scandal

22 October 2023 , 18:45

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ITV 'urge staff to declare relationships' in wake of Phillip Schofield scandal

Telly bosses at ITV are thought to be urging its staff to declare all friendships and relationships, sexual or not, in the wake of Phillip Schofield's exit.

The 61-year-old admitted cheating on his wife with a young male colleague during his long-standing stint on This Morning, days after sensationally quitting his job. The pair's relationship was apparently kept under the radar, something ITV seemingly want to prevent in the future.

Freelancers, consultants and full-time staffers at ITV could face disciplinary action if they fail to declare ongoing relationships, per new reports. Documents from the broadcaster are thought to define 'relationships' as 'a friendship, sexual or romantic connection, or a family relative'.

Holly and Phil have now quit This Morning (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The Sunday Times published the new policy, which could put employees failing to comply out of a job. In a statement to the PA news agency, an ITV spokesperson said: "ITV has had in place a policy on relationships at work since October 2022. Like all of our people policies, we keep them under review and update them periodically.

"The relationships at work policy was most recently reviewed and updated in October 2023." The Times reports that the document includes, "If a personal relationship exists between you and another colleague (whether it started prior to or during the course of your employment or engagement with ITV), both parties must disclose this to the company at the earliest opportunity."

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Whistle-blowers have been told to report concerns, per the outlet. "Any form of reprisal or victimisation against anyone who has raised a concern will not be tolerated and will itself be treated as a serious disciplinary matter."

ITV's update comes after Schofield's exit. He explosively quit This Morning in May after rumours he and former co-host Holly Willoughby were feuding behind the scenes of the ITV show began to overshadow the show itself.

While Phil claimed he was quitting for the good of the programme and all those who work on it, eyebrows were raised less than a week later when he admitted to an "unwise, but not illegal" affair with a much younger man who had been a staff member on the show.

Phil's sensational confession allegedly came at the cost of his friendship with Holly - who he insisted had no idea he had been having an affair and he claimed he lied to her and everyone else about it. In a BBC interview, Phil claimed he texted Holly to apologise - but said she never replied to him.

In recent weeks, Holly herself has faced difficult personal circumstances and she took the decision to quit This Morning earlier this month. Reports have suggested Phil and Holly have begun to reconcile now their time on the iconic ITV daytime show is over.

Harry Rutter