Moment Phillip Schofield downs whiskey with his lover as ITV runner wears elf costume on This Morning Christmas segment

Aug 16, 2023

THIS is the moment shamed Phillip Schofield vowed "let's get the elf smashed" as he shared whiskey with his young lover on This Morning.

The host was trying out alternative advent calendars alongside Holly Willoughby when he included his toyboy in the Christmas segment.

Schofield's lover, who was working as a runner on This Morning at the time of the tryst, could be seen in the background dressed as an elf.

After trying a whiskey from a £1,000 calendar on offer, Schofield turns to his toyboy and asks: "Do you want some?"

The runner then takes a sip from the bottle and gives a thumbs up as his older lover says: "Let's get the elf smashed".

The clip has resurfaced as ITV bosses continue to be engulfed in a crisis.

It was reported yesterday that the runner was moved to another show and given a "financial settlement" after the affair ended.

Insiders at ITV said bosses at some level must have known about any payment as senior body would have had to sign it off.

Pressure has continued to mount after it emerged a staffer raised concerns in an email dated February 10, 2020, to top boss Carolyn McCall, and Julian Bellamy, head of ITV Studios.

It read: "With the current rumours and accusations swirling around about Phillip Schofield why is he still on our screens? Why have ITV not suspended him pending an internal inquiry?

"I would have thought in this day and age that a mainstream broadcaster ought to be seen to be doing all it can to deal with issues like this, find out where the truth lies and, in the meantime, suspend those who the rumours concern?"

It is reported neither boss replied to the email.

The under-fire corporation claims they investigated Schofield in 2020 but said they found no evidence "beyond hearsay and rumour" as they accused the star of being a liar.

Schofield sensationally left This Morning last week after revealing he had an affair with the much-younger male employee.

The star, who was married at the time, branded the relationship "unwise but not illegal".

His admission catapulted the show into chaos - with Holly Willoughby's future now in doubt.

Schofields' 40-year career has since been left in tatters - with the Prince's Trust axing him from his role as an ambassador.

He was also scrubbed from This Morning's social media and website as the fallout from his affair continues.