Phillip Schofield steps down from ITV after affair with "much younger male"

He’s worth millions but that will be halved and then some, when his divorce is finalised- cleaners comes to mind😂

It’s essentially a story about a uk tv morning presenter having it all and throwing it all away.

Unless the promised “big” thing emerges, which I doubt at this stage- that’s it.

oh and forget “super injunctions” - if there was something else, it would be out there now.

I also found Holmes' turn of phrase about 'play time' in respect to Philip and younger man socialising on Thursday nights pretty crass.

It's even hurtful to the young man involved. Like he hasn't spoken out, so shy should Holmes be speaking about this young man's experience when he wasn't there himself.

Nothing “new” per se- I think the lack of detail around the “when how where what “ of the relationship with the “young chap” is just generating recycled “news” - Philip isn’t going to give anything away voluntarily so it’s down to whether the other guy wishes to go public- not sure that would be such a good idea as may bring more pressure on the poor guy.

I have no sympathy for Schofield. His reputation and career is ruined but one imagines at this stage has banked enough to slink away to an affluent retirement.

Meh, the public especially the British one will move onto the next outrage festival soon enough.

If he attracts an audience on some vehicle someone will hire him.

We don't just live in the closed realms of terrestrial TV anymore.

Just ask Clarkson.

No “crime” committed apparently- so individuals/tv viewers are left to decide themselves how they feel- obviously a fair number will think similar to yourself- that’s why PS is unlikely to appear in a self made YouTube video in the future no less a prime time UK tv show- listeners would just switch off - personally I always switched off PS well before this episode- have no interest in this type of rubbish show 😀

A huge opportunity with strings no?

Isn't that similar to the 'opportunity' many Hollywood casting directors have gotten into trouble for offering?

You've no idea what he thought he was getting into.

And if you really think that it is acceptable for casting directors to offer 'opportunities' at the price of sexual involvement then that's a morally and intellectually bankrupt position. It is a charter for abuse of power, position and sexual harassment.

I disagree profoundly for the reasons outlined above - you are writing a charter for sexual harassment.

But if that is what you think, then people (ITV) are free to offer, or no longer offer, Schofield such a position where he can engage in such abuse of position. Which they have done.

As things stand, though I haven't been reading all the info coming out about this story, I'd be of the opinion that Schofield is a creep (at best).

If nothing started until the other party was 18, it is legal and that'll surely be what Schofield will point to.

Normally, while I personally find it odd for such an age gap, if they meet as adults and consent to a relationship, I wouldn't have a problem. However, given the background to this story and that they clearly knew each other before he turned 18, its disturbing.

Its like cheating; not illegal but morally dodgy. I guess Schofield just uses strict interpretations of the law as his moral guideline.

I used to teach English to teenagers. Its been five years since I quit and a lot of those teenagers are in their twenties now. Some of them have become very attractive adults and I no longer work in education so there's plenty of 'distance'. However, I'd find it weird as **** to act on that. While adults, they'd still be kids in my mind and that's not something I could get away from.

Seemingly, Schofield doesn't have that thought process (at best; I still feel there's a lot more to come out in this story).

Has it been established that Schofield actually got him the job and he did so in return for sexual favours?

In that situation you are deep into the realms of criminal coercive control and the fact he was an adult becomes moot.

According to that he got a 3 week work experience gig on the show and he interviewed Schofield then.

Sexual favours for 3 weeks unpaid work?

Doesn't pass the smell test.

Nobody said any such thing.

The 3 weeks work directly lead to him ending up at ITV / This Morning, with credits and a patron like that on his CV.

The point is that Schofield put himself into a position where he could boost the careers of young 'wannabes' he had his eye on. He used his position \ profile to get them gigs off the back of that.

That person may have then felt under pressure to go along with Schofield's advances for their career \ employment.

It's an abuse of position - and people shouldn't be put into situations where they have to make those choices. It was totally inappropriate situation Schofield created.

Then let's dial back and remember that Schofield made contact over social media with the other party on social media when they were 15 - following up an in-person visit to the theatre group Schofield is patron of.

Do Schofield's actions pass the 'smell test'? Nope. They stink.