Vanessa Feltz reacted awkwardly to her affair with This Morning co-star Phillip Schofields after the news broke live on her radio show.
Phillip, 61, admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe and previously denied the affair when his agent confronted him about it.
Vanessa, who is a regular on This Morning alongside Phillip and Holly Willoughby, was hosting her TalkTV show when news of his testimony broke.
She announced his bombshell affair live on TV while chatting with her guest Nigel Pauley, who said, “If an agent dumps someone and uses the words honesty and integrity, that’s not good.”
Vanessa added, “They haven’t done anything that would have harmed anyone in the public eye, they just hosted a daytime TV show, so I feel it’s only right to say that as I really think so and I know and like them both.” .’
Tense: Vanessa Feltz reacted awkwardly to her affair with her ‘This Morning’ co-star Phillip Schofields after the news broke live on her radio show
Confession: Phillip, 61, has admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe and previously denied the affair when his agent confronted him about it
On Friday, Phillip admitted in a lengthy statement to an affair he said was “unwise but not illegal” with a younger male colleague, and also apologized to his wife and family.
The “unwise” relationship took place during his nearly 30-year marriage to his wife Stephanie, 59, and Phillip said he was “so sorry” for having been unfaithful.
Stephanie, who shares children Ruby, 27, and Molly, 29, with Phillip, made a statement when her husband came out as gay in a moving segment of This Morning in 2020.
Phillip stepped down last weekend after more than 20 years as This Morning presenter, before confirming the affair in a statement to the Chron on Friday.
He has also resigned from ITV and will no longer present the British Soap Awards. He was also fired “effective immediately” by his agents at YMU.
In a statement, the former ITV presenter said: “I am making this statement via the Chron to which I have already personally apologized for misleading a story about my lawyer who I also misled .” [sic] what you wanted to write about me a few days ago.
“The first thing I want to say is, I’m deeply sorry that I lied to you and many others about my relationship with someone who worked on This Morning.”
“I was in a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”
“Contrary to speculation, while I met the man as a teenager and was asked to help him break into television, it wasn’t until he began working on the show that it grew into more than a friendship.”
“This relationship was unwise, but not illegal.” Now it’s over…
“I am painfully aware that I have lied to my employers at ITV, my colleagues and friends, my agents, the media and by extension the public and most importantly my family.” I am very, very sorry for being unfaithful to my wife have become…
“I am stepping down from ITV with immediate effect and I would like to express my enormous gratitude to them for all the great opportunities they have given me.”
“I will reflect on my very poor judgment when I participated in the relationship and then lied about it.”
After testifying, an ITV spokesman said: “We are deeply disappointed by the admission of deception made by Phillip Schofield tonight.”
“The relationships we have with those we work with are built on trust.” Philip gave us assurances that he now admits were untrue, and we feel badly let down.
Vanessa, who is a regular on This Morning alongside Phillip and Holly Willoughby, said: “They have done nothing to harm any members of the public, they have merely hosted a daytime television show, so I think it’s only right to say that because.” I really think so and I know them both and like them both.’
Admission: Phillip admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” romance with a man during his marriage to Stephanie Lowe and previously denied the affair when asked by his agent
“We accept his retirement from ITV and can therefore confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as previously announced.”
According to him, Phillip has also separated from his management team YMU after 35 years.
Mary Bekhait, Group CEO of YMU Group, said, “Honesty and integrity are core values throughout YMU’s business and guide everything we do.” Talent management is a relationship built solely on trust.
“This week we learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield.
“These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU and also the outside consultants we had brought in to assist him.”
“As such, we agreed on Thursday to part ways with Phillip, effective immediately.”
After Phillip left This Morning last weekend, he was still set on hosting the British Soap Awards for the 13th straight year, but he won’t be doing so anymore having left ITV altogether.
The broadcaster has not yet confirmed who will be hosting next Saturday’s event in place of Phillip, 61, but bookies have named Joel Dommett as the favorite to take over.
Following its announcement, ITV said the British Soap Awards will continue to take place in Manchester on June 3 and a replacement presenter is to be confirmed “in due course”.
An ITV spokesman said: “The British Soap Awards will take place as planned next Saturday and we will make further announcements in due course.”
Although an official replacement has not yet been confirmed, Joel Dommett is the bookies’ favorite to take over the hosting gig, followed by Dermot O’Leary.
Presenter: Having left This Morning last week, Phillip was still set to present the British Soap Awards for the 13th year running but will no longer do so after leaving ITV
Bookmakers Coral gave The Masked Singer (UK) host Joel, 37, at 1/2 to host the Soap Awards, closely followed by This Morning’s Dermot, 50, at 5/2.
Other presenters in the running are Bradley Walsh, Alison Hammond and Vernon Kay, according to Coral.
Coral’s John Hill said: “Joel Dommett beats our bet to replace Philip Schofield as host of the British Soap Awards 2023.” ITV will likely see him as the perfect candidate as he’s now one of the channel’s most popular presenters.
“Dermot O’Leary and Vernon Kay are both well-supported names, while Mo Giligan could be a part given his Brit Awards experience.”