Martin Frizell; who is the This Morning editor after his comments were brought up by the select committee?

His comments left reporters outside of his home stunned, but the Government’s select committee, ahead of their meeting with Dame Carolyn McCall next week, were none too enthused by Martin Frizell - the editor of beleaguered ITV show This Morning. His comments also did not elicit much confidence either from ITV bosses, as their statement revealed. 

Frizell, the husband to broadcaster Fiona Phillips, has received backlash following his comments on his doorstep comparing the allegations of a “toxic environment” at This Morning to those who don’t like the taste of something; in this case, an aubergine. “I tell you what’s toxic,” he told a Sky News reporter. “[What] I’ve always found toxic is aubergine. Do you like aubergine?”

That remark led to condemnation that such a comment could be regarded as “flippant” in light of the continuing saga that both This Morning and its broadcaster ITV still face in the wake of the Phillip Schofield saga. So much so that Magnus Brooke, ITV’s Director of Strategy, Policy and Regulation, said the commercial broadcaster would not endorse comments made by Frizell during an evidence session held by UK Parliament’s Culture, Media, and Sport Committee.

During the hearing, MP John Nicolson condemned Martin Frizell, the editor of This Morning, for his response to allegations of a 'toxic' work environment. Nicolson described Frizell's remarks as 'outrageously dismissive and flippant.' ITV's stance on the matter, Magnus Brooke assured, was that the network takes all allegations seriously and emphasised the importance of a culture that values people's conduct.

Nicolson also asked if Frizell’s job was safe, to which Brooke said it was “not a question for me.” Brooke’s boss, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall, is due to be grilled by the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee over the Schofield saga next week - but after this faux pas, will Martin Frizell last that long?

Who is Martin Frizell?

Apart from everyone knowing that he is not a fan of aubergines (or a sensible answer for a serious question), you might be interested to know that Martin Frizell is a British journalist, TV producer, and editor with a successful career spanning over three decades. He is widely recognised for his contributions to the television industry, particularly as the editor of ITV's popular daytime TV show, This Morning. 

Frizell's career highlights include his work as a correspondent for Thomson Reuters and GMTV, where he later assumed the role of editor for an impressive ten-year tenure. Following his time at GMTV, he briefly explored the field of public relations before transitioning to the position of editor for the long-running all-female panel show, Loose Women.

In 2014, Frizell took on the highly esteemed role of editor for This Morning, ITV’s flagship daytime programme. His leadership and creative decisions have contributed to the show's ongoing success and popularity in the UK television landscape. Throughout his career, Frizell has been recognized for his outstanding contributions. In 2016, he received the Royal Television Society Fellowship, an honour bestowed upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the television industry.

Martin Frizell is married to Fiona Phillips, a journalist and television presenter, and they have two sons named Nathaniel and Mackenzie. As of writing, his net worth is currently estimated to be $5 million USD.