Phillip Schofield admits his career is over after quitting ITV following a brief affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning.
He also said his former colleague was aged around 20 or 21 when they had "five or six encounters" and urged the media to now "leave him alone".
In his first interviews since his departure - including to the BBC - he said he was "desperately sorry", but revealed having suicidal thoughts after the criticism he's faced:
" It is relentless and it is day after day after day after day.
"If you don't think that that is going to have the most catastrophic effect on someone's mind, do you want me to die?
"Because that's where I am."
In the past few weeks, he has left his role as presenter of This Morning, admitted a relationship with a younger colleague and was let go by ITV.
He told the BBC his daughters have been very supportive, "if my daughters haven't been there, then I wouldn't be here."
Schofield also denied allegations of grooming a younger colleague, saying it was innocent.
"What's wrong with talking to someone no matter what age they are? Does that mean that if, if you are following anyone on Twitter, you absolutely don't talk to anybody else, or you don't give advice?"
If you are affected by any issues raised in this story, you can reach out to the Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 or at Samaritans.ie.
