by Jordan James reporting from LONDON

COWARDLY Phillip Schofield only came out to the nation on Friday after a secret affair with a This Morning runner was about to be exposed, it has been claimed.

Schofield, 57 is alleged to have been having an affair with a male runner called Matthew Mcgreevy who is said to have been “furious” that Schofe had apparently ‘f*cked him over’ and was reportedly going to go to the press. 

McGreevy is said to have had a ‘close working-relationship’ with Schofe but after they had a ‘bust up’ the studio runner left This Morning to work on rival ITV show Loose Women – fronted by Ruth Langsford. 

Rumours went into over-drive on the set of the hit daytime show after Ruth Langsford lodged an official complaint.

ITV said that the runner was ‘promoted’ but other staff were said to be ‘confused’ about the move. 

“It was odd because they were so close and then he up and went to Loose Women and they didn’t seem to be talking much anymore,” one source told the Sun in 2019. 

At the time ITV said: “”It’s deeply disappointing and unfair for Phillip to be the target of this sort of malicious gossip.”

A show insider told The Daily Star Sunday: “Lots of people who work at This Morning have known Phillip is gay for a few years.”

“It was an open secret among the team but none of them would have ever said anything about it publicly,” and according to one source, he often took younger gay guys “under his wing” and became a mentor to them.

They said: “Phillip is a very caring guy. Over the years he has supported others who are gay and made sure they feel comfortable to be themselves.

“There was one runner who was struggling to deal with his sexuality and Phillip was quick to offer support and become a mentor for him.”

READ MORE SHOCKING REVELATIONS ON OUR THIS MORNING SENSATION BELOW

FIND OUT HOW PHIL AND MCGREEVY MET… 

TAP HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO OF SCHOFE DINING WITH HIS GOPHER