Inside This Morning’s ‘bullying culture’ from ‘terrifying’ boss to allegations of misogyny and 6-figure payouts to staff
“THE cosy world of daytime TV” is one of the most overused sentences in showbiz journalism.
It’s also, it turns out, absolute b*****ks.
This Morning has long been one of the most toxic, deceptive and brutal shows in the industry — but only now are the wheels finally coming off.
Reams have been written about Phillip Schofield over the past two weeks.
But this column isn’t about him, it’s about the behind-the-scenes culture that apparently allows gross misogyny, bullying and favouritism to run riot.
For too long ITV execs have seemingly put their fingers in their ears and enabled this behaviour, if not actively facilitated it.
Martin Frizell, This Morning supremo, is widely known in industry circles for his bullish, antiquated ways.
One former colleague describes him as a “relic from a bygone era, all shouting, swearing and un-PC comments. He can be wildly charismatic, but also terrifying”.
He has long been a staunch and very loyal supporter of The Holly And Phil Show.
If there are metaphorical bodies buried, one might assume Frizell knows where.
ITV Head of Daytime Emma Gormley also has questions to answer.
Why was Phillip’s ex-boyfriend moved to Loose Women once relations cooled? Who was that to protect?
On February 1, 2020, I emailed the ITV publicity team, putting to them allegations that This Morning was dubbed “Toxic Towers” by staff members — and that a would-be tribunal, for claims of bullying and misogyny, was settled out of court.
In no uncertain terms, I was told a “thorough internal investigation [was undertaken] and we are happy these complaints are unfounded”.
Yet, puzzlingly, I can reveal a six-figure sum was given to the disgruntled employee.
The resulting article never saw the light of day.
And back in June 2019, I first revealed tensions between Phil and Holly and a “bust-up” at a Birmingham Live event.
Although I was well-briefed by several people, some famous, some not, both Holly and Phil did their utmost to downplay any tensions.
Other journalists have also levelled accusations of unpleasant off-sofa behaviour, and been similarly thwarted.
On Sunday, Dr Ranj, who previously worked on the show, appeared to confirm it all.
He said: “Over time I grew increasingly worried about things behind the scenes and how people, including myself, were being treated.
“It takes more than one person to create a culture.”
One of my best friends worked at a very senior level on the show a few years ago; she quit within six months and cited bullying and sexism in her exit interview. No action was taken.
I’d love to repeat a few choice conversations she witnessed. Even Jim Davidson might wince.
Two well-known faces tell me they were diagnosed with medical conditions — one mental, one physical — as a result of working on the show.
The latter WhatsApped me yesterday saying: “I still suffer daily with the pain of this condition, but I don’t wish to look weak by coming out and discussing it.”
Yesterday, Phillip loyally defended the programme he’s worked on for 21 years, adding: “The thousands of guests over the years, thousands of staff and crew, hundreds of presenters and contributors all know, it IS a family of wonderful, talented, kind, hardworking people.”
Quick as a flash, Eamonn Holmes hit back, retorting: “Schofield has just put out a delusional statement.”
The gloves are well and truly off.
Naturally, there are hundreds of decent, kind, hardworking and smart This Morning employees — ones who must be reading about the fall-out and be heartbroken.
They must also, unfairly, fear for their jobs.
It’s also important to note that the show — and Frizell and co — worked tirelessly during the pandemic and, over the years, have raised invaluable awareness on a plethora of health issues, quite probably saving lives in the process.
But ITV, which proudly launched a Mental Health In The Media campaign in March, cannot now sit back and do nothing.
It is duty bound to investigate both its initial “investigation” and launch a fresh one.
In the meantime, it’s business as usual for bullish bosses.
This Morning aired yesterday, filled with its usual sunny bonhomie (which, now, none of us believe in).
But for how much longer can this farce continue?
An ITV spokesperson said: “As a producer and broadcaster, ITV takes its responsibilities around speaking up seriously.
“We have robust and established processes in place.”
Boris: Give it a rest
THE year is 2043. Electric cars are flying, AI robots account for 73 per cent of the UK workforce and the BBC is no more.
And Boris Johnson is facing his 712th investigation for breaking Covid rules.
Yup, once again the former PM has been referred to police for allegedly receiving visitors at Chequers during the pandemic.
His allies claim the latest “smear campaign” is a “political stitch-up”.
Whatever the truth, being reminded of the Government’s near-daily Covid cock-ups after the event isn’t helping anyone.
Boris, quite rightly, got his comeuppance.
Now can we please all move on.
WHY are male politicians so obsessed with our genitals?
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey is the latest to wade into the trans debate, claiming that a woman can “quite clearly” have a penis.
If they could please start focusing more on what’s between their ears, rather than women’s legs, that would be great.
The pig theory of BBQ
BARBECUE season has officially commenced in the Moodie household.
“Barbecue,” of course, being euphemistic for “all-you-can-eat- gluttony-masked-as-a-protein-rich-meal.”
I mean, would I ever go into a civilised restaurant and order one and a half burgers (with slab of cheddar), three sausages, a corn on the cob (buttered), two spicy chicken thighs and a token mouth-ful of salad, rounded off with a “double raspberry Magnum” because “sod it, it’s summer”? No.
But a “barbecue”? Totally socially acceptable to make like Augustus Gloop.
IN what may well become a regular, exciting feature called Bench Of The Week, these past few days I’ve been inundated* with readers’ photos revealing their favourite park bench plaques.
After showing off Huw Davies’ memorial “In loving memory of Huw Davies who used to sit here and shout f*** off at the seagulls”, this week we have a successor.
Thanks to Rob Bull for this week’s winner and, as Rob wrote: “I’d have had a beer with Roger.”
Ditto. *12 readers
Kylie snub is age blunder by Beeb
FOR a painfully woke, left-leaning organisation, the BBC really does know how to shoot itself in the foot.
Radio 1 was refusing to playlist Kylie Minogue’s new song – a belter – because she is far, far too old for their yoof demographic.
Sure, Kylie is 55.
But she’s a global icon who transcends age, gender, sexuality and class.
I don’t know a single gay man under 30 who doesn’t worship the hotpanty ground she walks on.
In contrast, stations including Capital FM are playing the song, Padam Padam.
At the same time, this is a corporation single-handedly hell-bent on bringing over younger listeners to Radio 2 – and culling DJs over 60.
So while people’s pronouns must be respected, loos gender neutral, historical facts re-imagined and trigger warnings slapped on, the one thing the BBC doesn’t respect is life experience.
In an ageing society, this is looking increasingly short-sighted.
FAREWELL to Jeff Stelling, who received a standing ovation at the end of his final shift this weekend.
He is that rare broadcaster about whom it is virtually impossible to say anything derogatory.
After 30 years at the Soccer Saturday helm, he is a nigh-on impossible act to follow.
Art of losing face
OH, the horror. Is it just me or is it LITERALLY CATEGORICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to end an accidental FaceTime call?
At the risk of sounding all Piers Morgany here (sorry Piers), I accidentally sat on my mobile and video-called a very famous pop star whose name rhymes with Dobby Dilliams (yes, yes, I can hear that name-drop bell clanging).
Upon realising my error, I frantically scrabbled to shut the thing down.
Nothing. It just kept ringing and ringing and ringing, my ever-more flushed giant fat face and seven chins looming on the small screen before me.
The more wild-eyed and frantic I got, the louder the ring tone seemed to get. The (screened) call was INTERMINABLE. I must have looked like a veritable stalker.
As a side-note, I also once FaceTimed my boss from the loo and the exact same thing happened. The shame.
MY friend sent me a screenshot of a Hinge (dating app) match she had – with the other person citing their sexuality as “allosexual”.
Er, what? We both Googled and remained none the wiser.
So, for the similarly uninitiated, here you go: “Allosexual, also known as Zedsexual, refers to people who are not on the asexual spectrum.
In other words, it describes someone who regularly experiences sexual attraction to others, but it does not necessarily refer to a sexual identity by itself.”
Clear as mud.