- Phillip Schofield has quit ITV, the British broadcasting channel, after admitting he had an affair with a younger male (an ITV employee). He met him when he was just 15 years old.
- The 61-year-old claims his affair was ‘immoral but not illegal’, as he claims that his relationship with the young man only began after he began working on ITV.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Philip Schofield said he “met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television”. Since the incident, an ITV spokesperson said they were “deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit” made by Schofield and confirmed it had cut all ties with the host.
Following reports of a feud with co-star Holly Willoughby, Schofield left his role as Presenter of ‘This Morning’. He said his departure from the show was unrelated to the affair with the colleague, who the BBC is choosing not to name.
At the time of the affair Schofield was married to his wife Stephanie Lowe. They parted ways in 2020, after Schofield declared he was gay.
Schofield said he was “so, very, very sorry” for being unfaithful to his wife, and for lying to his colleagues, agents, employers, friends, the media and the public.
Schofield has been accused of being a groomer on Twitter; many have called for him to be investigated by the police
Homosexuality is a grave sin in Islam
“And (remember) Lut (Lot), when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinn)? ’Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins).’ And the answer of his people was only that they said: ‘Drive them out of your town, these are indeed men who want to be pure (from sins)!’ Then We saved him and his family, except his wife; she was of those who remained behind (in the torment). And We rained down on them a rain (of stones). Then see what was the end of the Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists and sinners)” [al-A’raf 7:80-84]
Adultery is a major sin in Islam
Zina (sex outside marriage) which takes away the quality of faith from a person, and exposes him to punishment and humiliation unless he repents. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Fahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allah Forgives him).” [al-Isra 17:32]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No adulterer is a believer at the time when he is committing adultery” Narrated by al-Bukhari (2475) and Muslim (57).
As we see, the moral compass of Islam will always protect families and communities from harm Alhumdulillah.
