The runner, who became Phillip Schofield’s lover, filmed a showreel at This Morning Studios to make his mark as a TV personality.
The man, who is not named by the Mail, interviewed Schofield himself on the show, which sources say was “produced and paid for by ITV”, raising even more questions for the fired bosses who insist they were unaware of the affair have.
The video shows the closeness and lightness between the two, with the runner talking about “singing in the shower.”
The role was created and shared in 2015, the year the younger man, now in his mid-20s, arrived to work on the show.
A senior ITV source said: “This is quite extraordinary.” It shows the extent of Schofield’s influence that he was able to make this possible for someone so young.
The showreel begins with the young runner walking down a corridor and pointing at portraits of presenters, including Phillip Schofield
The man, who is not named by the Mail, interviewed Schofield himself on the show, which sources say was “produced and paid for by ITV”.
“Anyone who allowed that to happen will of course have wondered why it was done for a runner and what the relationship between them was like.
“Of course it was all bought and paid for by ITV – it was filmed at This Morning studios by the show’s cameramen.” It even starts with the This Morning music. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw it.
‘How many runners get access to cameras, studio and main presenter?’ I’ll tell you how many: none.’
The bombshell video again raises the question of who at ITV knew or suspected the presenter was having what he called an “unwise but not illegal” romance with a very young colleague.
ITV bosses were faced with more questions today about what they knew after claims the younger lover received monetary compensation from the broadcaster.
A source told the Mail the money was handed over to the man who, after declaring his love for Schofield at an awards ceremony in January 2020, was dumped on another of the network’s daytime shows, Loose Women.
ITV has repeatedly declined to comment on or deny the alleged settlement.
The video again raises the question of who at ITV knew or suspected the presenter was having what he called an “unwise but not illegal” romance with a very young colleague
The young man spends a brief time in the This Morning kitchen, where he invites viewers to email him their favorite foods before introducing Schofield
The couple met when Schofield was in his fifties and lectured at a drama school. At that time, his future lover was 15 years old and really wanted to start a career in the television industry.
He was later hired as a junior for This Morning but left the show in 2020, the year Schofield came out as gay.
In the four-minute, 19-second video, the young man emerges from the elevators on This Morning.
He says: “You can probably tell where I am by the star on the elevator.” Yes, I’m at This Morning Studios – where hundreds of famous faces have stepped straight out of this elevator, from celebs like Channing Tatum and Russell Crowe and Julie Andrews to famous politicians like Hillary Clinton, Tony Blair and David Cameron. And our very own This Morning family.’
As he walks down the corridor, past framed pictures of the presenters, he says, “There’s Gino D’Acampo, our beautiful Italian colt, and Phil Vickery.” Hello Eamonn! And dear Holly. Holly is on maternity leave. And one man who knows this room all too well is this guy, Mr. Phillip Schofield – and I’ll be speaking to him in a few minutes.”
There then follows a brief pause in the This Morning kitchen, where he invites viewers to email him their favorite foods before introducing Schofield.
“Next year he’ll be – wow – on screen for 34 years.” This man started speaking on Fridays off and on and is still here after 12 years. That’s a long temporary job, isn’t it, Phillip!?’
Smiling, Schofield tells the story of how he ended up being cast in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Schofield asks, “Can you sing?”
Smiling, Schofield tells the story of how he ended up being cast in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Schofield asks, “Can you sing?”
The runner interjects, “Well, I’m singing in the shower,” to which Schofield agrees, adding, “In the car.”
The two laugh over a clip of Schofield presenting children’s programs for the BBC back in the day with Gordon the Gopher from the 1980s set of ‘Broom Closet’. Schofield says, “I don’t know which is worse – whether it’s the singing or the jumper.”
The younger man countered, “I think it’s all great, I really think so.” To me, that’s what a kid presenter should be. It’s entertaining.’
He goes on to say to his mentor, “I think you’re doing very well,” adding, “You’re getting away with it and you’re managing to keep going.”
ITV did not respond to a request for comment on the video today.
A friend of Schofield’s said this week his young friend is ambitious enough to make friends with Schofield’s famous friends.
“He really liked the limelight and the lifestyle,” they said. “It was clear to everyone that it was an object.”
On Friday last week, Schofield released a statement to the Mail saying he was “deeply sorry” for lying to questions from our sister newspaper The Mail on Sunday about his relationship with the boy.
He said: “I was in an on-off, consensual relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
“Contrary to speculation, I met the man as a teenager and was asked to help get him into television, but it wasn’t until he began working on the show that it became more than a friendship.” This relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It’s over now.
“When I decided to come out, I did so solely out of my own interest.” No one “forced” me to come out. Neither I nor anyone else, to my knowledge, has ever issued an injunction, priority or otherwise, over my relationship with this colleague, he has never been transferred or fired by or because of me.
“In order to protect my ex-colleague, I have not been honest about the relationship. But my recent, independent departure from This Morning has fueled speculation and raised questions that have bothered him. That’s why it’s important for me, in his interest, to be honest now.