Phillip Schofield is reportedly in talks to “publish a comprehensive memoir on former This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby and his ITV career”.
ITV was in an uproar earlier this year after the presenter admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a much younger colleague, prompting the 61-year-old presenter to eventually step down from ITV altogether.
In the months surrounding the scandal, This Morning faced much criticism as ITV staff were quizzed on exactly what they knew about the affair, leading to the channel announcing it would be bringing in Jane Mulcahy KC to “make a… conduct an external review to establish the facts”. .
And now, according to a new report, Phillip will be recounting his version of events in a new memoir after being approached by “several book publishers”.
He is said to be hoping to put an end to what has happened with what may be an “incredibly compelling account” that has the full support of his family.
New business? Phillip Schofield, 61, is reportedly in talks to “publish a comprehensive memoir on former This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby and his ITV career”.
A source told The Mirror: “Phil has received several requests from book publishers – including Hodder & Stoughton – for a new memoir that will go into more detail about This Morning, Holly and how his career at ITV imploded.”
“He made it clear during the interview that he would like the opportunity to fully tell his story and to sort of draw a line under what happened, but that he would not do so without his family’s approval.”
“Stephanie and the girls have been his lifeline the entire time he’s been going through hell privately.” As such, any further conversations are on hold until he has spoken to them and they are satisfied that he is moving on.”
Web has reached out to Phillip’s representative for comment.
Jane Mulcahy KC has been hired to lead the external review of the facts surrounding the scandal and is expected to publish her findings in September.
Holly is said to be one of several people working at This Morning who have assisted Jane with her requests.
Meanwhile, senior ITV executives, including boss Kevin Lygo, have also been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival this week, the ITV chief executive said: “You [Mulcahy] After speaking to everyone involved, they pick up your phone and look at every single text message you’ve ever sent, every email, every WhatsApp.
“So everything is available, lots of interviews, talks with everyone and I hope it will be as soon as possible, but probably in September she will make that public.”
Former co-stars: ITV was in an uproar earlier this year after the presenter admitted an “unwise but not illegal” relationship and resigned from ITV
He elaborated on the way ITV is handling the duty of care, adding: “We take it, believe me, incredibly seriously.”
“We have nothing to hide and if we can adapt and change our process to improve it, then we should do so continuously.”
ITV bosses were under pressure to admit what they knew and when about the veteran presenter’s affair with a much younger colleague. They previously refused to answer questions from the Mail about the investigation they allegedly conducted in 2020 and whether a new investigation would be launched.
Earlier this year, as ITV’s first admission of possible wrongdoing linked to the scandal, HR chief David Osborn briefed staff on the review, hoping to quell growing discontent.
Under fire, chief executive Carolyn McCall sent an almost identical letter to culture secretary Lucy Frazer, culture committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage and television regulator Ofcom.
Dame Carolyn wrote: “You will have seen the extensive media coverage of Phillip Schofield.” “As you would expect, we take the matter extremely seriously and reviewed our own records over the weekend.” She said ITV investigated “when Rumors of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an ITV employee first began to circulate in late 2019/early 2020.”
Her letter went on to say, “Both parties were questioned at the time and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours…”
“In addition, ITV has spoken to a number of people who have worked on the This Morning team and the wider daytime team who have been provided with no evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumours.
“As the rumors persisted, we continued to question both parties, both of whom continued to deny the rumours, well into this month.”
But this week, sources close to the former production assistant said he insisted ITV never asked him about the relationship.
More questions surfaced when Eamonn Holmes, who hosted Friday’s This Morning until 2021, claimed the young lover was taken to work from Schofield’s house in ITV taxis – after the assistant and Schofield enjoyed “Thursday playtime”.
Dame Carolyn’s letter ended with the words: “We have now instructed Jane Mulcahy KC (Blackstone Chambers) to conduct an external review to establish the facts.” She will review our files and speak to the people involved. This work also takes into account our relevant processes… and whether we need to change or strengthen any.”
Ms Mulcahy, 62, represented the England and Wales Cricket Board earlier this year when it brought a charge of alleged racism against former England captain Michael Vaughan, who was later acquitted. She also acted for former BBC China editor Carrie Gracie in her successful fight for equal pay.
Investigations: Blackstone Chambers’ Jane Mulcahy KC has been commissioned by ITV to conduct an external review
Playing her part: The 42-year-old This Morning presenter is said to have “completely complied with and cooperated with everything the KC asked of her,” reports The Mirror
In a bombastic statement to the Mail, Schofield admitted he lied about an on-off relationship with the man that took place while he was married to his wife Stephanie Lowe, mother of his two adult daughters.
Dame Carolyn said in her letter that she would “set out some facts” after saying there were “many inaccuracies in the reporting”.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that Schofield met his mistress when he was 15 and the presenter was in his late 40s while giving a lecture at a drama school as a favor for a friend.
The relationship began after the budding runner moved to London aged 18 and began work on This Morning.