Who are the key players in the This Morning Phillip Schofield drama?

As questions continue to be asked following Phillip Schofield resigning from ITV and admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague, we take a look at the key players at the broadcaster along with former This Morning presenters.

Dame Carolyn McCall

Dame Carolyn became ITV’s first female chief executive when she joined in 2018. Before ITV she had headed up low-cost airline EasyJet since 2010 and prior to that was the chief executive of Guardian Media Group (GMG).

She was awarded an OBE for services to women in business and in 2016 was awarded a damehood in the New Year Honours list for her services to the aviation industry.

Following an online outcry, Dame Carolyn said the pair had been “misrepresented” over the issue and stressed they had been attending as members of the media to film a segment for This Morning.

On Wednesday, the PA news agency revealed she has sent a letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, DCMS Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage and Ofcom’s chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes, in the wake of Schofield’s departure from ITV.

The letter said: “We have now instructed Jane Mulcahy KC (Blackstone Chambers) to carry out an external review to establish the facts.

“She will review our records and talk to people involved. This work will also consider our relevant processes and policies and whether we need to change or strengthen any.

“Given Phillip’s admission of the extent of his deception the work will extend to cover any related issues that may emerge. This work will be carried out as quickly as possible and we will be happy to share the outcome.”

Kevin Lygo

Mr Lygo is ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, having joined ITV as the managing director of ITV studios in 2010.

In 2016 he was named the director of television and late in 2020 became managing director of the media and entertainment unit.

However, after the presenter confirmed the affair, ITV said it had investigated the rumours in early 2020, but “both parties… categorically and repeatedly denied” them.

Last week Mr Lygo refused to answer questions about Schofield after being pursued on the street by a GB News producer who asked him if there was a “cover-up” of Schofield’s affair with a young male colleague at the station.

Mr Lygo walked away from Ben Leo, telling him: “We really have no more to say.”

Martin Frizell

This Morning editor Mr Frizell, who is married to the journalist and broadcaster Fiona Phillips, joined the show in July 2016, according to LinkedIn.

He previously worked on ITV’s Loose Women, in public relations and as a GMTV editor.

In May, Schofield told The Sun: “My family went through a real ordeal, and Holly’s support throughout meant the world to me – as did the support of my bosses at ITV, my editor Martin Frizell and the whole This Morning family, including our amazing viewers.”

He has yet to speak publicly following Schofield’s resignation.

Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford

It was announced in November 2021 that Holmes and his wife Langsford would leave This Morning after 15 years hosting the show.

Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond were then confirmed as their replacements.

Holmes joined GB News two years ago and Langford has been continuing to work with ITV as an anchor on Loose Women.

He also said Willoughby should follow Schofield “out the door”.

He added that he and Langsford – who were on This Morning on the day Schofield came out live on air in February 2020 – “feel angry” and “used” after his resignation.

In an Instagram post on Monday, Schofield hit back at his critics, who he did not name, saying there was “no toxicity” on This Morning.

He added: “I hope you have noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice.”

Dr Ranj Singh

On Sunday, Dr Ranj, who worked as the show’s resident doctor, said he raised concerns about “bullying and discrimination” two years ago and afterwards felt like he was “managed out” for whistleblowing.

The doctor, who worked on This Morning for 10 years and competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, said he was assured his concerns would be addressed and changes made.

An ITV spokesperson said: “We are sorry to read Dr Ranj’s post today. At ITV we are fully committed to providing every opportunity for anyone who works with us to raise any concern or comments they may have.

“Following a complaint made by Dr Ranj, we appointed an external and independent advisor to carry out a review. This external review found no evidence of bullying or discrimination.”