Shamed former This Morning host Phillip Schofield cut a sombre figure as he walked his pet puppy in west London on Monday as the new show hosts made their debut.
Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard launched the new era of the ITV daytime staple after the pair were unveiled as the new additions last month following weeks of speculation.
The future of the ITV show was plunged into chaos after its star host was forced to resign back in May and Holly Willoughby made her shock departure in October.
As the show entered a new chapter, Phillip kept a straight face as he enjoyed a stroll with his new dog.
The former presenter wrapped up in a dark padded jacket with cream fluffy collar as he kept things casual in a pair of denim jeans.
It comes five months after the broadcaster bowed out of the spotlight following an affair with a much younger man who worked with him on This Morning, which led to his departure after over 20 years on the show.
After much speculation about his private life, his affair finally went public and he admitted he had been left ‘broken and ashamed’ but insisted he was not a groomer.
He said the affair ‘never came across’ as an abuse of power because he and his lover were ‘mates’. He told The Sun: ‘I was unprofessional, one time, in a 41-year career. There is no excuse. No one did anything wrong apart from me.’
In his first interview since leaving the broadcaster and This Morning, the presenter said: ‘I did not, I did not [groom him].
‘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.’
It has since emerged he paid his much younger lover to keep quiet about their relationship.
Schofield paid his former colleague, who is 34 years his junior, a six-figure sum to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that prevents him talking about their affair.
The TV presenter has been in the wilderness since admitting to the affair and lying to his ITV employers in an extraordinary mea culpa to the Mail last May.
A lawyer acting for the former This Morning host has now confirmed a deal was signed with his former lover last year, including a ‘mutual non-disclosure provision’ and payment to compensate the man for losses suffered.
The man was just 15 when he met Schofield, who helped him land a coveted job as a runner on This Morning at the age of 19.
A romantic relationship between the pair began when the man was 20, after which he moved to another ITV daytime show, Loose Women. He later left the channel with a separate payout.
Despite the clause gagging both sides from talking about the affair, Schofield revealed intimate details of their relationship when he was interviewed by the BBC’s Amol Rajan last June.
A source familiar with the NDA told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The young man has been fragile for some time. That is no secret.
‘There was a payment made for various matters that followed Phillip’s decision to speak out about his relationship and as part of that, an NDA was arranged and signed.
‘It means that Phil knows that his young ex will not ever be able to speak about their relationships so he can probably sleep a lot better at night now.
‘He [Schofield] has lost a lot but imagine if the full details came out – it would be pretty cataclysmic for him.
‘As for the young man, let’s hope that he can move on with his life now and rebuild it – but it isn’t easy.
‘And it’s a bit rich to present an NDA after Phil had his say with the BBC last year.’
The man – referred to only as Person X by ITV during its investigation – was represented by top London law firm Mishcon de Reya in the negotiations surrounding the NDA.
New hosts Cat and Ben gushed they were ‘so excited’ as they finally made their debut on Monday.
Speaking during the show’s opening moments, Cat said: ‘We are so excited to be here, this show has been a part of our lives for so long.’
Ben, who left Good Morning Britain last month after 10 years, added: ‘Everyone has been so kind. thank you to everyone who has sent us messages of support.’
Cat and Ben also received messages of support from some of their celebrity pals, with Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly sharing a sweet tribute to their former SMTV co-host.
Ant said: ‘Cat, Ben, good luck!’ while Dec continued: ‘Have the best time! You’re going to be amazing, we can’t wait to watch.’
Noting their wild partying during their children’s TV heyday, Ant said: ‘A little bit of advice for Ben about Cat because we worked with Cat and she might be all sweetness and light but that girl can party! Don’t think she can’t.’
Declan added: ‘Keep a lock on the drinks cabinet.’
Back in the studio, Cat admitted with a smile on her face: ‘Look, my motto in life is work hard, play hard.’
Cat went on to reveal: ‘Well actually Ben, I’ve actually had a little word of warning about you too – from one of your besties, have a look!’ Before the clip played, Ben joked: ‘That’s even more worrying if it’s from one of my friends!’
Viewers then heard Chris Kamara, affectionately known as Kammy to many, say: ‘Let me tell you Cat, he is like a bear with a sore head when West Ham get beat and the rest of the time, he is just miserable!
‘Only kidding, let me tell you Cat – he was one of the best things to happen to me and I’m sure you will see that and vice versa of course. Good luck to you both, I think you’re going to smash it.’
Ben commented: ‘Aww Kammy! He never fails to move me, that man. We woke up together a lot on Sundays on Sky… That’s something you have to learn! But thank you Kammy for that message.’
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
