Phillip Schofield 'paid 'substantial amount' to young lover to conceal their relationship

Phillip Schofield has compensated his significantly younger partner with a six-figure sum as part of an agreement that prohibits any discussion about their relationship, The Mail on Sunday has revealed.

The former colleague of the star, who is 34 years younger, has agreed to a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in exchange for the payment. 

This NDA prevents any discussion about the scandal that led to the downfall of the

presenter's lengthy television career last year.

Since admitting to the affair and deceiving his ITV employers in a candid admission to the Mail last May, Schofield, aged 61, has been navigating through a period of uncertainty.

A lawyer acting for the former This Morning presenter has now confirmed a deal was signed with his former lover last year, including a 'mutual non-disclosure provision' and payment to compensate the man for losses suffered.

The man was just 15 when he met Schofield, who helped him land a coveted job as a runner on This Morning at the age of 19.

A romantic relationship between the pair began when the man was 20, after which he moved to another ITV daytime show, Loose Women. He later left the channel with a separate payout.

Despite the clause gagging both sides from talking about the affair, Schofield revealed intimate details of their relationship when he was interviewed by the BBC's Amol Rajan last June.

A source familiar with the NDA told The Mail on Sunday: 'The young man has been fragile for some time. That is no secret.

'There was a payment made for various matters that followed Phillip's decision to speak out about his relationship and as part of that, an NDA was arranged and signed.

'It means that Phil knows that his young ex will not ever be able to speak about their relationships so he can probably sleep a lot better at night now.

'He has lost a lot but imagine if the full details came out – it would be pretty cataclysmic for him.

'As for the young man, let's hope that he can move on with his life now and rebuild it – but it isn't easy.

'And it's a bit rich to present an NDA after Phil had his say with the BBC last year.'