This Morning Editor Claims ‘Scores Are Being Settled’ Over Phillip Schofield

The editor of ITV’s This Morning has heightened the ongoing controversy surrounding the show’s backstage culture. Martin Frizell accused certain individuals, who recently raised their concerns, of harboring personal grudges. Over the past few weeks, the show has garnered media attention, primarily revolving around reported conflicts among its long-standing presenters.

The situation became more intricate when it came to light that Phillip Schofield had been involved in an affair with a much younger colleague and initially lied about it.

This Morning Editor Claims ‘Scores Are Being Settled’ Over Phillip Schofield — Instagram

As the discussions unfolded, they encompass a broader evaluation of the overall work environment, prompted by former staff members’ accounts characterizing it as “toxic.” On Saturday, This Morning’s editor, Frizell, told Sky News to “read between the lines” amid the claims, adding: “I think there’s some scores being settled.”

The editor spoke up after the show’s former resident doctor Dr. Ranj Singh said he raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” on the show two years ago and afterward felt he was “managed out” for speaking up. Eamonn Holmes, who previously presented This Morning with his wife, Ruth Langsford, until 2020, had also e accused Schofield of “toxicity” in an interview with GB News.

“All I want to say is, I am working with a fantastic team of mainly women, many mums, a lot of them concerned for their jobs, although we’ve told them not to be,” Frizell told Sky in response to the above allegations.

He added, “But this is the 23rd day now of being on the front page and it’s tiring, they worked all through Covid brilliantly, they worked all through this putting a programme out … and I just think they need a bit of respite now.” However, ITV’s chief executive, Carolyn McCall had confirmed that barrister Jane Mulcahy KC of Blackstone Chambers will carry out an external review of the facts.

But Frizell alleged he was not concerned about what the external review may reveal, saying: “We’re looking forward to speaking to the KC, she’s very, very learned. She’ll get to the bottom [of it]. If there are questions to be answered, I’m sure she will find those answers.” Notably, McCall has also been called to a parliamentary committee on 14 June to answer questions about the broadcaster’s approach to safeguarding and complaint handling after Schofield’s exit.

On the other hand, the former presenter Schofield has said he feared he would be spat on in the street. He told the Sun: “I don’t have any spirit. My friends tell me ‘It will get better.’ It won’t. Not now. Not this one. I am getting by hour by hour. I have got my girls [his daughters] and my friends.” He had told BBC that he “lost everything” after admitting to the affair and lying about it and that the fallout had had a “catastrophic effect” on his mind.