ITV has released the findings of an external review into This Morning, following the scandal involving long-time presenter Phillip Schofield.

The 61 year old left the show amid rumours of a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby and later admitted to having an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a younger colleague.

Phillip also confessed to lying about the relationship to his wife, agent, viewers, and colleagues on This Morning. A week after Phillip's confession, Jane Mulcahy KC was appointed by ITV to conduct an external review.

The review has now concluded that ITV made “considerable efforts” to find out the truth about an alleged relationship between Phillip Schofield and a runner on This Morning in 2019 but was “unable to uncover the relevant evidence” until Schofield’s admission in late May 2023.

Phillip “reluctantly declined” to take part in an external review into the circumstances surrounding his departure from ITV because of “the risk to his health,” a report says.

Jane Mulcahy KC added that she has been informed Schofield’s mental health has since deteriorated.

The report read: “ITV’s management made considerable efforts to determine the truth about an alleged relationship between PS (Schofield) and PX (the runner) following on from the publication of a story in The Sun newspaper in early December 2019.

"However, in the face of the denials of the individuals involved, ITV was unable to uncover the relevant evidence until PS’s admission in late May 2023."

Ms Mulcahy interviewed 48 people for the review but Schofield “reluctantly declined” to take part because of “the risk to his health”, the report says.

“I am informed that PS’s mental health has since deteriorated,” the report said. The runner, who has not been named, also declined to participate.

The review also found that Schofield’s patronage of the runner assisted him in the early days of his career at ITV but beyond this the man “seems to have made his way on his own.”

The report adds: “I am satisfied that PX’s promotion to a role of production secretary on another daytime programme had nothing to do with PS.

“Further, the only agreement between ITV and PX under which he was paid any settlement sum was a standard agreement ending the employment relationship dated 31 July 2021.

“After the story broke in 2019, ITV tried to do everything it could to help PX and provided significant additional support to him, even in May 2023 despite his employment having ended.”

The daytime programme continued to face scrutiny following Phillip’s departure, with allegations of a “toxic” environment.

Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes and the show's former resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh both accused the show of "toxicity", as did Emily Maddick, the show's former Head of News.

When presenting her report to the board, Ms Mulcahy said that for the period under review there was no finding of a “toxic” culture.

Only one person interviewed had any knowledge of the affair prior to May 2023, the report said. The former junior employee did not report it.

In the report recommendations, it is suggested ITV sets out “clear guidelines for its talent going forward to ensure that good behaviours are observed even by those who are household names.”

It also emphasises the importance of junior employees at ITV having the confidence to raise concerns to management in line with ITV’s Speaking Up policy.

The report says: “I have no doubt that senior management are absolutely wedded to the importance of an open culture. But this culture is still not filtering down to junior employees, many of whom remain convinced that to speak out will have a detrimental impact on their careers.”

Andy Cosslett, chairman of ITV plc, said in response to the report: “We welcome her recommendations and are already acting on them.

“We are completely committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect and feels able to give of their best.

“Our promise to those we work with is that where a complaint is made, or serious concerns raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action.

“We will continue to develop our efforts to give junior colleagues the confidence to speak up if they have something to raise.

“I hope that the completion of this review allows the team at This Morning to get back to what they do so well – making a brilliant show that entertains and informs millions of viewers every week.”

Phillip's former co-host Holly Willoughby left the show in October after 14 years presenting.

Since then the show has been presented by a rotation of presenters, including Alison Hammond, Josie Gibson, Craig Doyle, and most recently Rylan Clark-Neal and Emma Willis.

Reports have suggested that there are plans for permanent hosts to eventually take over the roles, with one of these being current Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard.

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