What has readers talking today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk / Getty)
Readers are having their say on the controversy surrounding Phillip Schofield’s affair with a younger colleague.
Some readers (and Jeremy Clarkson) believe Schofield is being unfairly targeted, pointing out that age-gap relationships and affairs are far from uncommon, with Schofield himself attributing the backlash to homophobia.
Notably, Holly Willoughby’s highly anticipated remarks on her return to This Morning imply her desire for everyone to move on.
Readers seem to concur, emphasising the importance of shedding light on other issues: climate change, animal welfare, overpopulation, Just Stop Oil and how to stop attacks on ambulance workers.
What do you think?
Have your say in the comments.
Is Jeremy Clarkson right to call the backlash to Phillip Schofield’s affair a ‘witch-hunt’?
Holly Willoughby held hands with Josie Gibson when she addressed Philip Schofield’s affair (Picture: ITV)
Phillip Scofield said in an interview that the public’s response was homophobic (Picture: BBC)
■ Hats off to Jeremy Clarkson for speaking out about the ‘witch-hunt’ against Phillip Schofield (Metro, Mon), who quit his job at ITV over a secret affair with a younger colleague.
OK, so he lied about what he describes as an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with the man – who was 15 when they met – but only to protect himself from anti-gay people. Schofield, who is 61, denies he ‘groomed’ the colleague and says they only had sex when he was around 21.
I watched his former co-host Holly Willoughby give her speech about it on This Morning. Boy, did she sell him down the river. Phillip’s only sin was covering up his affair as he knew it would all kick off – and it did.
Give the guy a break. He’s clearly struggling. Leave him be and let him sort his life out.
Linda Cowie, Glasgow
■ It’s now time to stop persecuting Phillip Schofield. Holly Willoughby made an impassioned plea for everyone to now move on and give Phillip the time and space to move forward with his own life.
There has been an almost voyeuristic level of attention on Phillip Schofield for the last few weeks that is possibly even homophobic at its worse. He is not the first male to have had an affair and he almost certainly won’t be the last.
Al, Charlton
What about other celebrities who have age-gaps in their relationships?
Elvis met future wife Priscilla Presley when she was 14 and she was 24 (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Celine Dion met her manager and husband René Angélil at 12 years old (Picture by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Apart from cheating on his wife what else did Phillip Schofield do?
■ What is with the witch-hunt? The only thing he did wrong was cheat on his wife. Yes, the guy was younger, but please, it’s nothing shocking.
Celine Dion was 12 when she was discovered by her manager and they went on to marry. Then there’s Leonardo DiCaprio and his many younger women. And what about Elvis and Priscilla – she was 14 when he met her, aged 24.
And as for Holly Willoughby. Shame on you for not supporting your friend and making out you are a victim while holidaying in your million-pound mansion in the Algarve. People, grow up!
Matthew, via email
■ Am I alone in sensing a strong stench of self-righteous hypocrisy in the on-going reporting of the Phillip Schofield matter?
Consensual means exactly that, equal involvement by two parties and, to my understanding, no charges have been brought to date. Of course Mr Schofield made mistakes and, unlike many of those at the very top of public life, he has admitted to and apologised for these.
Every single human being has made mistakes and, to quote a religous text: ‘He/she who is without sin amongst you, let him/her throw the first stone.’
Has Holly been a good friend to Phillip? (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
I am no ‘snowflake’ but more a rock, which is not going anywhere. However, as a 74-year-old G.A.Y. (‘Good As You’) man, I am both fearful and angry.
Tony Stevens, Tower Hamlets
■ Phillip Schofield reportedly said that his career was over after revelations that, while he was married, he had installed a much younger person as his colleague and then, while in a position of power over them, instigated a sexual relationship.
He needn’t worry – given recent past form in this country, I imagine he’ll be offered book deals and highly lucrative spots on the public-speaking circuit. Who knows? Maybe he’ll even get to run the country for a couple of years…
Julian Self, Wolverton
■ It is inconceivable ITV was unaware of Phillip Schofield’s affair.
Likewise, it is equally inconceivable for us to claim we are unaware of the animal suffering and death found in horse racing, animal farming, fishing, laboratories, slaughterhouses etc. As we all have access to information on the internet, ignorance is no longer an excuse. Please stop exploiting animals and go vegan today.
Lisa Kemsley, Brighton
Going green is easier said than done
Is the lack of electric chargers stopping you from getting an electric car? (Picture: Getty)
■ Kate Taylor (MetroTalk, Mon) says that demonstrators from Just Stop Oil are neither ‘moronic’ nor ‘cowardly’. People cause greenhouse gases and the UK population today is 67million and will be 77million by 2050. World population today is 8billion, up from 2billion 100 years ago.
Will Kate Taylor and members of eco-groups pledge to have no more than one child, never to travel in a petrol/diesel vehicle, turn off their gas supply, take no foreign holidays, eat less meat, use no mobile phones nor electrical goods and never attend music festivals or sporting events? Eco-talk is cheap.
Clark Cross, Linlithgow
■ People are defending actions by Just Stop Oil protesters, saying that the issue needs to be raised. While I am sympathetic with its idea to reduce fossil fuels, I totally disagree with its methods.
These affect the public but the public are the ones already doing what they can to help limit climate change. For example, sales of electric vehicles are on the rise. The public, who these protesters are targeting, are already doing their bit.
The actions of these protesters would be a lot more welcoming, and would have a lot more support, if they targeted the real culprits directly such as the energy companies.
Pedro, Hammersmith
■ All this talk about electric cars – estimates put it at 20-plus years before we can have enough charging stations available to support the current level of vehicles on the road. Oh, and where’s the energy coming from?
Jim, London
People who assault ambulance workers have no shame and we have no way to stop it
Ambulance staff are legally authorised and obliged under the Mental Capacity Act to act in the best interests of, and provide treatment for, patients who are lacking capacity, even where the patients refuse treatment or are abusive, threatening or violent (Picture: Getty)
■ Ambulance workers have been attacked more than 9,500 times in five years while on duty, a new report by the GMB reveals (Metro, Mon).
People who assault paramedics have no shame.
I appreciate that some may be acting hostile in fear/mania, or some extenuating circumstance, but the majority are in complete awareness of their acts.
I completely agree with ambulance worker Richard Harlington – the prosecution rate needs to increase.
On the topic of deterrence, the thought of security personnel travelling with ambulances starts to suggest itself as a solution although I appreciate that not only would this need to be subject to intense screening and scrutiny for individuals, but would place additional strain on NHS funding.
JS, London
■ These kinds of offences should automatically lead to a custodial sentence. If the government needs to build new prisons then so be it. Britain needs to become a society that has zero tolerance for such crimes and the sooner this happens, the better!
Scott, West London
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MORE : Ambulance workers ‘bitten and spat at’ in more than 9,500 attacks, new figures show
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