Under-fire Carolyn McCall faces allegations from X Factor’s Rebecca Ferguson who says ITV boss refused probe

Holly Willoughby and the crew of This Morning are looking for a new chapter of ‘warmth and magic’ following Phillip Schofield’s scandal; something ITV boss Carolyn McCall can only dream of for herself after she has come under further scrutiny for the broadcaster’s handling of certain situations.

In the wake of Phil Schofield leaving the ITV show after more than 20 years when reports came to light about his alleged affair with a younger male colleague, all eyes turned to Dame Carolyn McCall to not only see how much the CEO might have known but also her approach to complaint handling and safeguarding as a result.

While fans of the show were intrigued, so too were members of the parliament who invited the ITV boss to a Culture, Media and Sport committee meeting to discuss Carolyn’s decision to conduct an external review into the way the scandal was handled.

One week ahead of when Carolyn will face questions from MPs on 14 June, new allegations have surfaced against the first female boss of the broadcaster from X Factor’s Rebecca Ferguson.

The singer, who came second on the show behind Matt Cardle, has stated in a series of tweets that Dame McCall once refused to launch a probe into the treatment of reality stars after they left shows such as Love Island, X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent upon Ferguson’s request.

After talking to several stars herself, Rebecca wrote a letter to the senior leadership team including the CEO in March 2021 to investigate the ‘codes of conduct, post show aftercare and freedom of choice of management’, but was denied by a deputy member of staff two weeks later.

Rebecca tweeted: “I’m bound by multiple NDA’s but I cannot continue to not live in my full truth,being silent is worse I’ve lived through hell for years…” before tagging the chair of the Culture, Media and Sport committee Caroline Dinenage saying, “please ask for an independent inquiry, interview myself and ALL previous staff, and witnesses  2004- present what you’ll uncover is beyond terrifying!”

The Liverpool-born singer’s reported letter was sent shortly after Caroline Flack and three Love Island talents had passed away.

Other stars who have appeared on ITV replied to Rebecca on Twitter with TV presenter Iain Lee suggesting that he had limited contact with psychiatrists before and after his trip to the I'm A Celebrity jungle as he stated, "the impact of being on TV is huge," while social media users slammed the concept of Rebecca's NDAs.

Since Rebecca's initial Twitter thread, the Loose Women panellist shared screenshots of her email exchanges with ITV as well as watchdog Ofcom who also denied her private complaint about the broadcaster's handling.

Rebecca ended her allegations by saying: "I am open to communication should they now wish to follow up with my private complaint now that I have made my complaint public."

Dame Carolyn McCall, who has been ITV’s CEO for five years, will face questions from MPs on Wednesday 14 June.