THIS Morning's Alison Hammond got emotional as she and Dermot O'Leary broke their silence on the Phillip Schofield interview.
The presenting duo discussed Phillip – who exclusively spoke to The Sun in a bombshell interview last night – with their co-stars Sonia Sodha and Gyles Brandreth.
Just before the discussion started, Dermot said: "It's very difficult for us to cover this story because he's a friend and a colleague."
Fighting back the tears, Alison said: "I'm just finding it really painful because obviously I loved Phillip Schofield and it's weird because I still love Phillip Schofield.
"However what he has done is wrong. He's admitted it. He's said sorry, but as a family we're all really struggling to process everything. I never know what to say."
The presenter had to compose herself, and continued: "I remember what my mum said – my mum always said, use your bible as your Sat Nav in life Al. In the bible it says 'he without sin can cast the first stone'.
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"I just don't want to say anything bad, I'm in conflict."
Dermot chimed in: "There is a conflation here between, what Sonia says – what Phillip has done is wrong – but at the same time…"
Giles replied: "It's a human story with public implications."
Speaking about how the public have responded to what has happened, Giles added: "The reaction to it has been disproportionate to the human level."
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Dermot pointed out: "Well it's been on the front cover of a paper for the best part of 21/22 years."
Alison then shared her concerns, saying: "There is so much a man can take isn't there? I don't want any death in this situation."
Last night Phillip spoke out for the first time about his affair with a much younger colleague, revealing that he is “utterly broken and ashamed” — but stressed that he did not groom him.
The axed This Morning host, who has been in hiding since the scandal broke, approached The Sun to tell his story after what he says was a week of lies flooding social media.
Talking to The Sun and visibly shaking, Phillip says: “I did not, I did not (groom him).
“There are accusations of all sorts of things. It never came across that way (an abuse of power) 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 anywhere else.
“I assume somebody, somewhere, assumed something was going on, correctly, and didn’t say anything."
The star continued: “At the time I did not think about it possibly ruining my career. I really probably only thought about it when I saw the rumour mill, and saw it growing.
“Then I saw the link with the drama school photo all those years before, and thought, ‘This looks shocking’.
“But I didn’t lie to protect my career, he didn’t want his name in public. He wanted his own life.
“The lies grew bigger and bigger and bigger and it was affecting both of us deeply.
“It got to the stage where it was out of control and for whatever cost, it had to stop.
“I have massive guilt, and regret. I’ve made a mistake, I’ve had an affair at work.”
Furiously vaping, he added: “I think my greatest apology must go to him.
“It has brought the greatest misery into his totally innocent life, his totally innocent family, his totally innocent friends. It has brought the greatest grief to them.
“I haven’t spoken to him since this s*** show kicked off, but when this was all beginning to get out of control, I paid for his lawyers to independently work on his behalf.
“I am deeply sorry and I apologise to him because I should have known better. I should have acted the way I have always acted. I should not have done it.
“I’m sorry. And I will forever be sorry. I will die sorry. I am so deeply mortified.”
Schofield has admitted lying to cover up the affair which sparked a tumultuous week, with ITV bosses being accused of hiding the facts.
With his career in tatters, he has decided to put the record straight by speaking to The Sun and the BBC’s Amol Rajan.
Addressing lurid allegations and rumours posted online, Schofield insisted his former boyfriend did not receive a penny in “hush” money.
He said no non-disclosure agreement was ever signed that would have prevented the man from speaking out.
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Yesterday it was confirmed that ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall has been summoned to Parliament to be grilled on safeguarding. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee wants to quiz her next Wednesday.
And Holly was seen for the first time after spending the week hiding out at her £8million Algarve bolthole with family.
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