ITV execs on the brink as insiders attack 'woke, humourless bosses' who gave Phillip Schofield 'whatever he wanted'

The pressure on those at the top of the broadcaster comes after Schofield resigned from This Morning after admitting to a relationship with a much younger man, a notion he had previously denied.

The 61-year-old has also been dropped by talent agency YMU.

ITV workers from the past and present have spoken out on the matter, saying the whole scandal is reflective of the culture presided over by bosses.

In an exclusive GB News interview, former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes criticised ITV bosses over their “humourless” nature.

He told Dan Wootton: "The way of dealing with Carolyn McCall and Meghan Markle is to laugh at them and laugh at their wokery because they are humourless, they are all humourless.

“We are at a stage when ITV and their share price which would have dipped and money talks.

“You’ve got to look how she’s running the station what she allows to happen.

“Kevin Lygo [ITV Studios Managing Director], who stays silent on everything, should not be allowed to stay out of everything.

“And then the Editor of This Morning cultivated a huge area whereby they do anything to indulge Phillip and Holly.

“Whatever Phillip and Holly want they get.”

This Morning’s former resident health expert, Dr Ranj Singh, added his voice to the list of those speaking out on the show’s “toxic” culture, arguing it goes beyond Schofield.

Singh said he raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” two years ago when he worked there and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing.

He said: “I was on the show for 10 years and I genuinely loved and valued working there. However, over time, I grew increasingly worried about how things were behind-the-scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated.

“I didn’t know the truth about what was going on with Phillip, but I do know the issues with TM (This Morning) go far beyond him.

“It takes more than one person to create a culture.”

Eamonn Holmes says another former colleague has been given the “courage” to speak out on issues behind the scenes alongside a host of other ex-This Morning staff.

The individual in question however, says he signed a non-disclosure agreement upon his departure from the show.

Reading out a message sent by the former member of staff, Holmes said: “Hello Eamonn, I hope you and Ruth are well.

“Just wanted to tell you that the whole Philip Schofield scandal has actually given many ex-This Morning staff the courage to finally speak out.

“I left This Morning with a payout. And I had to sign a nondisclosure agreement to cover up the bullying and power abuse.

“All these years later, and she states how many years these are, I feel I have the courage to talk about this.

“And it appears I'm not alone. And so the story goes on and on.

“And they also say so many of us comment that working on a Friday show with you and Ruth was so different than during the week. And you were always there for help and advice.”

Schofield himself has rallied against the idea the show harbours a “toxic” culture, accusing individuals of having a “grudge” against him or the show.

In a statement on his Instagram story posted on Monday, Schofield said: “Now I no longer work on @thismorning I am free to say this.

“I hope you have noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice.

“This Morning is the best show to work on, with the best people.

“In all the years I worked there there was no toxicity.

“You can listen to those persistently loud voices if you like.

“But the thousands of guests over the years, thousands of staff and crew, hundreds of presenters and contributors all know, it is a family of wonderful, talented, kind, hard working people.”

An ITV spokesperson, commenting on Dr Ranj’s comments, said: “At ITV we are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.

“Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review.

“This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”

According to The Mail On Sunday, Schofield first met the younger ITV colleague whom he later had an affair with when he was aged 15.

Lawyers representing Schofield have confirmed they met when the boy was 15, but said the affair began after he started working at ITV, and the man’s lawyers have also said that it started after he joined the broadcaster.

In a statement on Friday, Schofield said it was when the younger man joined the show as an adult that their affair began.

ITV said it investigated “rumours of a relationship” between Schofield and the ITV employee about three years ago but both parties “categorically and repeatedly denied” it.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster said on Saturday that ITV was “not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour” when it looked into the matter in 2020.