Why is it coming out now? This is the version the Mail are saying. This suggests there perhaps ISN'T that much more to the story.
Early last week he decided to spend an eye-watering sum on legal representation for his former lover. As it transpired it was this that sealed his fate.
Schofield hired top London law firm Mishcon de Reya to act for the man, now in his mid-20s, and his own solicitor, then set up a call with Mishcon's head of reputation management in an attempt to put a plan in motion to manage press interest. But the outcome was one Schofield did not see coming.
On the lawyers' agenda was The Mail on Sunday published a fortnight ago revealing that the young man had mysteriously moved on from This Morning. There were claims he and Schofield had fallen out and that the younger man's colleagues were surprised to see him depart for pastures new. In response, Schofield complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation, the watchdog for the newspaper and magazine industry in the UK. It is there to hold printed publications to account for their actions, protect individual rights, uphold high standards of journalism and help to maintain freedom of expression for the press.
At the same time as firing off his complaint, Schofield's spinners were briefing other publications that they had complained and that the story should not be repeated. This newspaper launched a vigorous defence – and the complaint has now been formally withdrawn.
But it is what happened next that has almost certainly finished the £20 million former king of daytime television's career for good. Schofield learned that his former partner was not prepared to lie about their affair.
He instead told his lawyer that they had had a relationship, and that was to be his honest stance. He added that he was simply fed up lying. Schofield had no way out.
He was then forced into a U-turn, telling his management company YMU, which had represented him for 35 years, that he had lied and that he had indeed cheated on his wife with the young man.
YMU – widely seen as the most powerful showbusiness agency in the UK – swiftly dropped him and told ITV bosses of his confession.
Schofield then sent the grovelling apology to me, on Friday, admitting that he had lied to this newspaper. He also announced he had quit ITV with immediate effect, and would not be presenting next Saturday's British Soap Awards – a role that has been his since 2006
If that's the story it remains problematic in its own right because of how he continued to lie to cover up the story. And lawyered up to do so. And expected MM to go along with the lie even though it was effectively abusing the law / press complains system to conceal the truth.
That's abuse of power right there all by itself.
So you have a situation where his lies to ITV (which could have sparked an investigation into his conduct and misuse of position - including shafting the blokes career by moving him when the relationship broke down - several years ago) are relevant. As is the fact he then brokered a deal with ITV to save which included a hefty financial payout when ITV potentially had enough to end the contract without a deal on the basis of gross misconduct instead.
Schofield didn't want his reputation damaged, but was happy to have an unwise relationship and shaft the career of someone else when it suited him. That's abuse of power.
Questions of grooming also are definitely relevant but not necessarily the key point. ITV went along with protecting Schofield's reputation with no regard to the younger party. Schofield's status was more important than the career and well being. Its hard to argue it wasn't exploitative if you say 'well you can have this great career as long as we are in a relationship, but not it's over tough shit I don't want you on my show and hey you will damage my reputation'. That's just not ok or how to treat people.
The level of control Schofield was trying to exert over his former lover looks coercive with all the legal shit too.
Whether the Mail are telling the whole truth themselves is hard to know BUT the chain of events in doing a deal with ITV only to go back on it a week later can't be anything but SOMETHING happened during the week to force his hand. You don't lawyer up for a settlement worth £300,000 and keeping a good gig only to go back on it a week later.