Staff at This Morning are apparently overjoyed when an external review found ‘no evidence’ of toxicity.
After the departure of Phillip Schofield, 61, the ITV programme was beset by charges, especially from previous presenters such as Eamonn Holmes and guests, that it produced a poisonous environment.
The inquiry was commissioned to determine the facts behind the departure of the former broadcaster, who resigned after confessing to lying about an affair with a younger runner, as well as to explore the culture.
Barrister Jane Mulcahy submitted her findings on Thursday, stating that there was no evidence of a ‘toxic’ atmosphere during the time period under consideration.
The findings have reportedly delighted This Morning workers, with a source telling The Mirror: ‘The claims of toxicity were grossly unfair and super-charged by MPs who were in it to make a name for themselves. Everyone is glad this review has found nothing untoward.
‘People just want to move on but there is a sense of anger about what has unfolded.’
A second added: ‘There is relief that we can get on making telly now that this misinformation has been called out.’
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, previously stated that she had been approached by ‘a considerable number’ of current or former This Morning and ITV daytime employees who had concerns about ‘toxic working cultures, bullying, discrimination and harassment.’
In response, ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall and said in a letter: ‘You also say that others have come forward to you about their experience at ITV but do not feel capable of attempting to report their concerns, or that ITV will take them seriously.
‘Having taken the step to bring matters to your attention, in line with my letter to you the day after the hearing, I would ask you to continue to encourage individuals to contact ITV via our reporting line SafeCall, through which reports can be made confidentially or anonymously. Alternatively, individuals may wish to contact Jane Mulcahy KC directly.
‘As we made clear to you and the Committee, we are absolutely committed to enabling people to raise any issues or complaints they may have about working at ITV. We always take these seriously and will investigate and take whatever action is appropriate. However, we are unable to do so if we cannot engage with those people.’
Dame Carolyn earlier disputed to a government committee that ITV had a poisonous culture.
She said at the time: ‘We do not recognise that in This Morning and the reason for that is that we have tangible evidence to tell you that the vast majority of people at daytime and at This Morning are engaged.’
Meanwhile, the external assessment determined that ITV made ‘significant attempts’ to learn the truth about Phillip’s alleged connection with a runner on This Morning in 2019, but was ‘unable to unearth the necessary information’ until the presenter’s own admission in late May 2023.
Months after Phillip made the affair public, his co-host Holly Willoughby departed the programme after 14 years on the couch.
Since the departure of the long-running presenting partnership, there has been a rotation of presenters, including Alison Hammond, Dermot O’Leary, Josie Gibson, and Craig Doyle, with Rylan Clark and Emma Willis the most recent couple to head the show.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
