Phillip Schofield has issued an apology to the young man involved in the affair which brought his ITV career to an end.
The 61-year-old was axed by the broadcaster last month after admitting to lying about a relationship he had had with a runner on This Morning - a man aged in his 20s - several years prior.
The man in question has now left the industry and is believed to be working at a rural pub, and even although he has not been named by the national media, he nevertheless finds himself the subject of unwanted scrutiny.
Speaking to The Sun, Schofield admitted: "I think my greatest apology must go to him. It has brought the greatest misery into his totally innocent life, his totally innocent family, his totally innocent friends.
"It has brought the greatest grief to them.
"I haven't spoken to him since this shit show kicked off, but when this was all beginning to get out of control, I paid for his lawyers to independently work on his behalf.
"I am deeply sorry and I apologise to him because I should have known better. I should have acted the way I have always acted. I should not have done it.
"I'm sorry. And I will forever be sorry. I will die sorry. I am so deeply mortified."
Schofield has also publicly apologised to his former presenting partner Holly Willoughby for lying to her about the pair.
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