Disgraced This Morning star Phillip Schofield has broken his silence with an explosive interview with The Sun.
Phillip Schofield has spoken out about his affair with younger male colleague and said although he it "utterly broken and ashamed" he did not groom him.
In a tell-all interview with
The Sun, Phillip labelled the backlash over the age gab between himself and his former lover as "homophobia".
He compared his relationship to Leonardo Di Caprios' previous relationships and said it's "accepted" by him.
During the interview, the former
This Morning host said: "There are accusations of all sorts of things. It never came across that way because we'd become mates. I don’t know about that.
"But of course, I understand that there will be a massive judgment, but bearing in mind, I have never exercised that anywhere else."
Schofield also told the newspaper he did not "lie to protect" his career, but the colleague "didn’t want his name in public".
When asked about grooming rumours, Phillip started by sending a deep apology to his ex-lover who he says this whole situation has brought "greatest misery into his totally innocent life".
"I am deeply sorry and I apologise to him because I should have known better…. I will die sorry. I am so deeply mortified."
He continued to defend himself and clear the air about possible grooming that took place over the years.
Phillip told The Sun: "We did first meet when he was 15, I visited the drama school (he attended).
"So yeah, there’s a difference. It’s accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio, it’s not accepted if it’s in the gay world.
"Attraction is attraction. It’s no different in the gay world as it is in the heterosexual world or in the lesbian world. There shouldn’t be a difference. This is where homophobia comes in."
He explained that people have relationships with others of different ages. He said: "Yes, I see what it looks like from the outside world. I just want to apologise to everyone.
"I did not, I did not (groom him)."
An external investigation into ITV and the facts behind Schofield's exit is about to get underway with co-stars Holly Willougby, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary expected to be questioned.
Former This Morning host, Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford may also be interviewed as part of the review.
Holly is due back on This Morning this Monday June 5th but rumours have circulated that the star will not return to her role.
The
BBC is also set to release an interview with Phillip Schofield being questioned by Amol Rajan.
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