An ITV official has called the strange comments made by This Morning’s leader on reports of toxicity behind the scenes on the show – when he started talking about aubergines – “ill-judged.”
Editor Martin Frizell was recently questioned on the street by a Sky News reporter about allegations of workplace toxicity on the show, in the aftermath of Phillip Schofield‘s exit from This Morning, the news of his secret affair, and his alleged ‘fallout’ with his former co-star Holly Willoughby.
Having earlier claimed, ‘I suppose certain scores are being settled,’ he then stated in his most recent statements, ‘Do you know what’s toxic, I’ve always thought toxic, is aubergine. Do you enjoy aubergine? Do you?’
Frizell’s comment was brought up during a Culture, Media, and Sport Committee hearing on the Draught Media Bill on Tuesday, June 6, with ITV executive Magnus Brooke questioned for his thoughts on the remarks.
‘We all watched yesterday the weird performance by the editor of the programme, who, when challenged about bullying on the broadcast by a reporter from Sky, started talking about aubergines,’ MP John Nicolson said during the meeting.
‘It was surreal and bizarre. I think most people watching that would have thought this is the person who’s responsible for safeguarding young staff, he’s being outrageously dismissive and flippant on camera about an immensely serious issue.
‘I wouldn’t like to be a young staffer going and talking to that editor about bullying given that’s the way he treats the subject matter on camera in public.’
Brooke, the broadcaster’s Group Director of Policy and Regulation Strategy, responded, ‘Let me reassure you, Mr Nicholson, that we take these problems extremely seriously.’
‘But what about what he said?’ Nicolson pressed further.
‘Well I wouldn’t endorse what he said,’ Brooke responded.
Nicolson questioned the CEO whether he agreed that the statements were ‘bizarre,’ noting that he ‘wouldn’t use that word’.
When questioned on what word he would use, Brooke stated: ‘I’d certainly say it was extremely ill-judged to say what he did.
‘But look, I can reassure you on behalf of ITV that we do take all of these allegations very seriously. Precisely because we do have a culture in which people’s conduct matters enormously to ITV.’
Nicolson then questioned Brooke if Frizell’s employment at ITV was’secure’ following his aubergine response.
‘That’s not a question for me and that’s not a question for now,’ Brooke insisted.
ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall is set to face questioning by MPs at another committee meeting next week.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.