ITV underwent exhaustive efforts to ascertain the truth surrounding rumors of Phillip Schofield's alleged relationship with a colleague in 2019, as revealed in a recent review. However, despite considerable attempts, the network was unable to uncover the facts until Schofield himself admitted to the affair in 2023. This revelation led to his departure from ITV, as he had previously confessed to lying about the relationship.
The fact that the lip-syncing duo was exploited and the result of industry-wide issues in pop music was irrelevant. That myopic public scorn feels familiar today.