Eamonn Holmes: ITV carried out ‘total cover-up’ of ‘chief narcissist’ Phillip Schofield’s affair

Eamonn Holmes, a former presenter on This Morning, has accused ITV bosses of orchestrating a "total cover-up" of Phillip Schofield’s affair with his younger lover, saying those in authority "had to know" about the secret relationship.

In an interview with journalist Dan Wootton on GB News on Monday evening, Holmes labelled Schofield a "chief narcissist" who would "hit the town" on Thursdays for "playtime" with the young man.

He claimed Schofield's lover would be ferried between the presenter's flat and studios in taxis "paid for by ITV".

Speaking of the affair, Holmes said: "It's a total cover-up. Those in authority had to know. They had to know what was going on and they thought they would dodge the bullet which they did and they do constantly.

"All I'm here to do is to speak for people who hadn't got a voice... I'm speaking on behalf of them," he added.

Holmes also said Schofield "created an atmosphere" on This Morning "where people hated him".

"This nonsense that he wrote today about toxicity, about how (This Morning) is a happy place or whatever, holy God, what planet does this man live on?

"He created an atmosphere where people hated him.

"People would avoid him in the corridor. He didn't look at anybody, didn't know anybody's name.

"Holly [Willoughby] doesn't know people's names either. This is legendary within the production team, how distant they are, and how they just don't care."

Holmes disclosed that his wife Ruth Langsford is still in touch with Schofield's ex-lover, who was described as a "lovely fella", and that "life is tough" for him right now.

ITV has been approached for comment on the claims made by Holmes.

ITV's managing director of media and entertainment had refused to answer questions on Monday about Schofield after being pursued on the street by a GB News producer.

In a segment broadcast on Monday, producer Ben Leo tracked down ITV's Kevin Lygo and asked him if there was a "cover-up" of Schofield's affair with a young male colleague at the station.

He also asked Mr Lygo if he "protected" Schofield.

Mr Lygo walked away from the producer, telling him: "We really have no more to say."

In an earlier statement, a spokesman for the broadcaster had said: "ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.

"Both parties were questioned 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 This Morning and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour."