Phillip Schofield slammed as a 'hypocrite' by revenge porn victim after star gave friend a character reference in court | The Sun
PHILLIP Schofield has been slammed as a "hypocrite" by a revenge porn victim after he gave his friend a character reference in court.
The shamed host, 61, gave support to pal Ben Perryman when he stood in the dock after posting a naked photo of his ex-boyfriend on social media.
But the victim has now spoken out, blasting Schofield's call to back the man.
The 61-year-old has always denied knowing what the character reference was for.
Perryman's victim told MailOnline: "I feel like Phillip Schofield robbed me of the justice that should have been served for a horrendous crime that someone committed.
"I would love to hear from him about why he thinks it's acceptable that he played so much of a part defending someone's actions – but then can go on and say 'this is a really bad subject'."
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He added: "He is such a hypocrite for highlighting the impact of revenge porn while at the same time providing a character reference for someone who was convicted of that crime."
A spokesman for Schofield said: "He does not recall being asked whether his reference would be used at the proceedings."
In October last year The Sun exclusively revealed Schofield gave the character reference.
It came after Perryman received a suspended 12-week jail term and four-year restraining order to stay away from his victim after posting a naked picture of the man on social media.
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Perryman also had to observe a curfew after admitting disclosing a sexual photograph with intent to cause distress at Liverpool crown court in June 2018.
Schofield was said to have repetitively denied knowing what the character reference was for.
Revenge porn — the distribution of sexually explicit images or videos of individuals without their consent — has been a frequent topic on This Morning.
The ITV show’s website has listed helplines and asked victims to get in touch for a future show.
In 2016, Schofield and co-presenter Holly Willoughby interviewed three women about revenge porn.
A year earlier he and Amanda Holden discussed the subject with former Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne.
Also in 2015, Schofield and Holly talked about it with callers when revenge porn was set to be made illegal.
Perryman, who has previously dated Coronation Street star Rob Mallard, has socialised with Schofield throughout last summer.
Snaps shared online include the duo enjoying a takeaway and bottle of £40 Bollinger champagne in a garden.
In another image, Perryman posed topless and in sunglasses next to a barbecue with the bubbly on display.
He added the cryptic message: “Whoops we did it again.”
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It comes after Schofield left This Morning when it emerged he had lied over the relationship with a runner almost 30 years his junior.
Schofield, who was married at the time of the affair, branded the relationship "unwise but not illegal".
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