This Morning was not toxic workplace, says Schofield

As Eamonn Holmes appears to want to pick a fight with him

- LAURA HARDING

Phillip Schofield yesterday launched a staunch defence of This Morning after claims there was a toxic culture behind the scenes on the show. The presenter accused a “handful of people with a grudge against me or the show” of making accusations. The remarkes prompted the former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes to call Schofield a “liar”, adding: “Pip if u r looking for a fight, u have picked on the wrong person!”

Schofield, 61, resigned from the broadcaster on Friday and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a young male colleague on This Morning. It came after weeks of speculation over a feud with former co-host Holly Willoughby.

Former This Morning resident doctor Dr Ranj Singh has hit out at the show’s “toxic” culture, saying he raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” two years ago when he worked there and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing. Holmes has also made allegations about the culture at ITV, saying Schofield was not “the only guilty party”.

Schofield, in a statement on his Instagram story posted shortly before This Morning went on air with Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond hosting yesterday, said: “Now I no longer work on this morning 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.