ITV Implements Major Changes Following Phillip Schofield Scandal on This Morning

ITV has recently undergone significant changes in response to the scandal involving former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield. The network has initiated reforms that include banning individuals under the age of 18 from working on the show.

Reports from The Sun indicate that ITV is also cracking down on nepotism, making it more challenging for employees to secure positions for friends and family members within the company. These adjustments follow Schofield‘s admission of an affair with a younger colleague, causing a wave of scrutiny and upheaval.

The source revealed that ITV is striving to prevent incidents like the Schofield scandal from recurring and prioritizing a safe work environment for all employees. Additionally, they are now more stringent about hiring practices, eliminating the employment of individuals under the age of 18.

Outdated information from career sites showed ITV previously recruited individuals as young as 14 for their ‘Experience Programme,’ although the age requirement has now been raised to 18. This move aims to reinforce accountability and transparency in the recruitment process.

Last year, all ITV staff were mandated to disclose any workplace relationships following Schofield’s admission and subsequent departure from This Morning. The scandal prompted an internal review pinpointing concerns about company culture and the fear of reprisal among junior employees.

Jane Mulcahy, who led the investigation, highlighted that many staff members were hesitant to speak out for fear of jeopardizing their careers. Schofield, who separated from his wife Stephanie in 2020 after coming out as gay, faced intense scrutiny and offered remorse for his actions.

Amid the scandal, Schofield’s former lover, represented by Mishcon de Reya, signed a non-disclosure agreement with ITV in exchange for financial compensation, preventing any discussion of their relationship. The fallout from the affair has had lasting effects on ITV’s operations and public image, prompting a series of institutional changes.