Phillip Schofield has said he feels “utterly broken and ashamed” following a scandal over an affair with a younger male colleague – but insisted he did not groom him.

His interview with The Sun comes after ITV announced it had launched an external review to establish the facts around the relationship between presenter Schofield and his This Morning colleague.

Schofield was quoted as telling the paper: “I did not, I did not (groom him).

“There are accusations of all sorts of things. It never came across that way (an abuse of power) because we’d become mates.

“But of course I understand that there will be a massive judgement, but bearing in mind, I have never exercised that anywhere else.”

He added: “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 am so deeply mortified.”