Phillip Schofield slammed as a ‘hypocrite’ by revenge porn victim after star gave friend a character reference in court

PHILLIP Schofield has been called a “hypocrite” by a revenge porn victim after giving his friend a character reference in court.

The embarrassed presenter, 61, supported his pal Ben Perryman while he was in the dock after posting a nude photo of his ex-boyfriend on social media.

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But the victim has now spoken out, harshly criticizing Schofield’s call to support the man.

The 61-year-old has always denied knowing what the character reference was about.

Perryman’s victim told it MailOnline: “I feel like Phillip Schofield has robbed me of the justice that should have been due for a horrific crime someone committed.”

“I’d like to hear from him why he thinks it’s acceptable that he’s gotten so involved in defending the actions of others — but then I can say, ‘That’s a really bad subject.'”

He added, “He’s such a hypocrite because he highlights the implications of revenge porn while providing a character reference for someone convicted of this crime.”

A spokesman for Schofield said, “He does not recall being asked if his reference would be used in the proceedings.”

Last October, The Sun exclusively revealed that Schofield had given the character reference.

This comes after Perryman received a 12-week suspended sentence and a four-year restraining order to stay away from his victim after posting a nude picture of the man on social media.

Perryman was also forced to comply with a curfew after admitting to Liverpool Crown Court in June 2018 that he had published a sexual photograph with intent to stir up trouble.

Schofield reportedly repeatedly denied knowing what the character reference was intended for.

Revenge porn – the dissemination of sexually explicit images or videos of people without their consent – was a common theme on This Morning.

Hotlines are listed on the ITV show’s website and victims are being asked to get in touch with them about a future programme.

In 2016, Schofield and co-host Holly Willoughby interviewed three women about revenge porn.

A year earlier, he and Amanda Holden discussed the topic with former Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne.

Also in 2015, Schofield and Holly spoke to callers about when revenge porn should be made illegal.

Perryman, who previously dated Coronation Street star Rob Mallard, has been dating Schofield throughout last summer.

Snaps shared online include the duo enjoying a takeaway meal and a bottle of Bollinger champagne worth £40 in a garden.

In another picture, Perryman posed topless and in sunglasses next to a grill displaying the sparkling wine.

He added the cryptic message: “Oops we did it again.”

It came after Schofield left This Morning when it was revealed he lied about his relationship with a runner almost 30 years his junior.

Schofield, who was married at the time of the affair, called the relationship “unwise but not illegal.”

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