Phillip Schofield has admitted having a relationship with a much younger man who worked at ITV.
Schofield, 61, dramatically stepped down as presenter of the channel's flagship daytime programme This Morning last week amid reports of a feud with his co-star Holly Willoughby.
Schofield has been dropped by his agent YMU after 35 years following the admission.
The Telegraph understands that Schofield had previously been asked about the relationship by his agent and denied it.
That false information had then been relayed to Schofield's bosses at ITV.
In a statement Schofield said on Friday evening: “It is with the most profound regret that after 35 years of being faultlessly managed by YMU I have agreed to step down from their representation with immediate effect.”
Mary Bekhait, the Group CEO of YMU Group, said: “Honesty and integrity are core values for YMU’s whole business, defining everything we do. Talent management is a relationship based entirely on trust.
“This week, we have learned important new information about our client Phillip Schofield. These facts contradicted what Phillip had previously told YMU, as well as the external advisors we had brought in to support him.
“As a result, on Thursday we agreed to part company with Phillip, with immediate effect.”
Speculation about Schofield has been rife ever since he dramatically announced he was quitting This Morning. In February 2020, Schofield, who had been married for 27 at the time, tearfully announced he was gay in an admission made on air.
“With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact I am gay,” he said at the time.
The announcement fuelled rumours over the timing of his decision to come out.
On Friday, he was expected to admit in a public statement that he had had a relationship with a much younger man. It is thought the young man is at least 30 years younger than Schofield.
The young man is first thought to have met Schofield when he was a teenager. There is no suggestion that Schofield acted illegally.