I think Ruth knew about the runner at that point, sure there was tensions between him and Ruth in 2019. I don't blame R&E they were put in an awful position by ITV. The same day that he came out or possibly the next day someone who worked on this morning made a SM post talking about his inappropriate relationship with the runner.
This Morning basically forced the two other main presenters to support him and his lie and when they refused to play nice they gave them the road.
I find it completely distasteful that he's used being gay to cover his behaviours, I don't think he is gay, he's something else.