Phillip Schofield interview: Key lines from his conversation with Amol Rajan

Phillip Schofield has said he is “utterly broken and ashamed" over the affair he had with a younger male colleague, but denies grooming the man.

Schofield resigned from ITV last week and was dropped by his talent agency YMU after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger male colleague.

Speaking to the BBC’s Amol Rajan, he told of the criticism he has faced since admitting the affair, saying: “Do you want me to die? Because that’s where I am.”

He said: “It is relentless, and it is day after day, after day after day.

“If you don’t think that that is going to have the most catastrophic effect on someone’s mind… do want me to die? Because that’s where I am.

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Evening Standard on socials:

[ltaylor]

"do you want me to die because that's where i am now" feels like a very toxic and manipulative thing to say.

[indiabliss]

Even though he has lost his job, he will never experience poverty

[seekthetruthfindit]

Only a real narcissist grooms someone, and then threatens suicide...

[stoicsavage]

"What is that like for daughters to go through something like that" you've put them through it you scumbag... Take some accountability for your actions instead of playing the victim

[l.b.fulatryxthenarcoleptic]

Are we supposed to feel sorry for you now Philip? 'Do you want me to die?' Absolute insult 🤬

[irefi]

If he could only keep his mouth shut for a bit, people would have the chance to forget all about it. He has not 'lost everything.' He has a caring, incredibly forgiving family and a fortune, and can start again in one form or another (following a much-needed period of silence). Being on TV isn't the only job there is.

[ScoobyDoozy]

I speak on behalf of all Australians when I say that Schofield calling this being mates is a travesty to mateship

[karlvanderhyde]

He was tweeting him since 2011 and he is 19 now. he should be in jail

[DividedKingdom]

He's defending the ITV bosses because there is far more to this.

[marycahill]

Boo hoo. Multimillionaire screws up and gets to retire early, thinks he has no future. He will probably live another 25 years reading, gardening, walking the dog, golfing, travelling, enjoying grand children perhaps. Yes, you screwed up, and in a few years it will be old news and who cares?

[buyop]

He said, “What sort of a thing is this for daughters to go through?” That’s the question.
The answer - it’s a thing he’s put them through.
He chose to hide his sexuality, living ‘happily’ in a traditional marriage set up all the while having an affair with a man young enough to be his young son. Bit perplexed how he is then complaining about what his daughters are going through.

[LoLzZ]

would have been better for him to remain silent and just slink away without trace

[livefromthesouthside]

What a sick little liar, no way did he meet him when he was 15 groom him for 5 years then sleep with him when he was of a legal age, he clearly fancied him from a young age to continue grooming him for 5 years anyway and the ammount of lies he’s told already makes it even harder to believe that he waited until he was 20

[marilynnstoneman]

I have been watching this interview and again he is very good with words, when he says what is it like for his girls to be put through this, well Mr Schofield you and you alone put them where they are now, I feel so sorry for them and your wife for what you have put them through.Did you ever think of them with as much thought as you say you have now when you were enjoying your time with your young lover, no they never entered your head, Bless them for their loving responsible hearts to even give you the time of day and stop using them, the sympathy thing just does not work with me.Take responsibility for your actions and look in the mirror.

[leoniemary]

Did you love him?…No we were just mates” That makes it much worse imo

[guff]

"Do you want me to die"? Victim playing.

[lglg]

This man doesn’t seem to regret and doesn’t take any responsibility. As a mother of a 17 year old boy, I feel sorry for the young man and his parents. .
How toxic and narcissistic is he?
Extremely shocking for a man of 61 year old.
No moral …

[Ragdollcatlover]

Boo-hoo. Actions have consequences. It was ok when you were the one grilling people on the sofa and humiliating them.

[Mark-ipoq]

Another alarming thing people may have forgot like Rolf Harris he started life as a childrens tv entertainer

[guff]

On par with the Prince Andrew interview