When Holly Willoughby initially joined This Morning, she was paid less than Phillip Schofield, according to Kevin Lygo.
During a parliamentary inquiry examining the broadcaster’s welfare policy and its response to Schofield’s romance with a younger employee, Lygo was quizzed alongside ITV CEO Dame Carolyn McCall.
Holly joined This Morning in 2009, following Fern Britton’s departure as Schofield’s co-host, purportedly because he was paid more for the same work.
Britton, on the other hand, disputed that her departure from This Morning was motivated by money.
‘That was 12 or 15 years ago, I think you’ll find a lot has changed since then,’ insisted McCall.
Lyco then confirmed eventually Holly was paid the same as her co-host ‘but not when they started because she would have been junior and he was well established.’
He continued: ‘We’ve made it a policy now that when people are doing the same job, like panellists on a show or something, they should be paid equally.’
Schofield resigned from This Morning with immediate effect in May, only days after admitting to an affair with a younger colleague from the show.
Several former ITV stars have stated that the affair was known to “everyone” at the channel.
During the committee, McCall questioned why no one came forward, emphasising that both Schofield and the young lover were questioned about their connection.
She also stated that she is ‘very worried’ for Schofield’s well-being and that he is presently undergoing counselling from ITV.
Willoughby returned to This Morning with a statement criticising her former co-host and ‘rock,’ telling viewers that his revelation had left her “shaken, worried, and let down.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
