A YOUNG runner reportedly "mysteriously left" his job on ITV's This Morning after a "close friendship" with Phillip Schofield.
The man, aged in his early 20s, first moved over to the network's other breakfast morning television hit, Loose Women.
Amid claims of a "falling out" with Scofield, the lad later left ITV entirely.
Staff and telly stars couldn't believe the youngster departed following the alleged incident around three years ago.
Phillip was said to have allegedly been "mentoring" the production staff member.
ITV and Phillip insist the boy's move to Loose Women "was a promotion".
A source told The Mail on Sunday: "He and Phil were close and then he just went off to Loose Women, which is a rival show to This Morning.
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"It was odd, the two men just stopped talking so much.
"Phil had been such a support to him, he was a really talented and hard-working guy.
"Some of the network's biggest names expressed their surprise at the time, he was very popular.
"He never really spoke about it, it was very mysterious."
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