PHILLIP Schofield had an affair with a “much younger” ITV worker, The Sun can reveal.

The 61-year-old – who was sacked by This Morning just last week – has now been dropped by his agent after the affair was revealed, which was not illegal.

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Schofield was just fired from This Morning last week – unable to say goodbye to his fans.

His exit was confirmed last week, after weeks of intense speculation about his future and a feud with co-host Holly Willoughby, 42 – and as an insider revealed, the row even stopped guests from appearing with them .

It comes after his brother Tim Schofield was jailed after he was found guilty of “emotionally blackmailing” a teenager into sex and forcing him to watch pornography.

Phillip Schofield, the host of 21 years, was in an office with show boss Martin Frizzell and said his contract, which was due to end this summer, was not being renewed.

Devastated Phil then drove 300 miles from London to Cornwall to see mum Pat, 85, where he poured his heart out to her on a coastal walk on Friday – as our exclusive pictures show.

Phil, 61, is also expected to leave Dancing on Ice, which the pair also co-hosted.

But he will present other ITV programmes.

A source said: “It was a very difficult time for them but they were talking about the end of an era and mentioned something of a truce.”

Phil made no mention of Holly in a statement announcing his shock departure.

He said: “I have always prided myself on covering fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently This Morning has become the story itself.

“Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honorable and kind.

“I understand that ITV has decided the current situation cannot continue and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.

“I have therefore agreed to resign from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s incredible viewers – and I’ll see you all at the Soap Awards next month.”

Holly, 42, kept her statement short, saying: “It’s been over 13 wonderful years presenting This Morning with Phil and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for all his knowledge, his experience and his humor. The bank will not feel the same without him.”

Bosses decided the situation was unworkable after apparent on-screen tension between them last week saw the show lose 170,000 viewers.

Meanwhile, another insider revealed that some celebrities and political guests have requested to appear on Fridays with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary rather than Holly and Phil.

The insider said: “Senior producers couldn’t ignore it any longer and it was becoming a real problem.”

Staff have been told to prepare for a meeting on June 6 with ITV’s Head of Day, Emma Gormley, at which a major announcement is to be made.

But the ax seems to have been swung faster.

A TV source: “The tense atmosphere backstage was completely unworkable and toxic, so bosses had to step in and make a decision for the sake of the cast, crew and future of the show. Phil was fully planning to end his contract with a stoic, “grin-and-carry-it attitude” and thought he could navigate the rough waters.

“But bosses were worried they would lose their golden girl Holly, and decided to pull the plug on Phil. He was devastated.

“The crew were none the wiser when they left work on Friday afternoon fully expecting to see Phil turn up to work on Monday.

“It has felt like the writing was on the wall for some time, but neither he nor many show staff expected ITV’s knee-jerk reaction.

“Producers have put together an emergency team of fill-in hosts from their presenter roster to keep the show going for the next week.

But no decisions have been made about who will sit next to Holly for the long term.”