Phillip Schofield stepped down from presenting This Morning after almost 20 years in May 2023. (Image: ITV)
is gearing up to 16 months after quitting . The former star co-hosted the magazine programme for almost two decades but stepped away after competing in an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a colleague.
On Monday (September 30), Phillip, 62, will front the special show, Cast Away. Across three 60-minute episodes, the broadcaster will tackle surviving on a remote island off the coast of Madagascar and is set to discuss his highly-publicised leave from ITV.
Last year, the presenter resigned from the corporation, revealing he’d embarked on an extramarital affair with a younger male colleague. He later admitted the fallout , which had a “catastrophic effect” on his mind.
In 2002, Phillip, 62, was named as the new Friday presenter on This Morning after completing a successful stint beside Caron Keating four years earlier. He was later promoted to the main Monday-Thursday co-host beside , who exited after ten years of service in July 2009.
was quickly brought into the fold to replace Fern and the pair would go on to become one of the most formidable duos in broadcasting. During their 14-year tenure, the two produced a plethora of memorable moments, including turning up to work wearing formalwear from the evening before’s ceremony.
The TV personality confessed to having an ‘unwise, but not illegal’ relationship with a collegue. (Image: BBC)
In February 2020, Phillip announced he was gay on social media, claiming it was “something that [had] caused many heart-breaking conversations with and two daughters Molly and Ruby.
Following the statement, he used the ITV show to platform his coming out story and was supported by Holly.
During the subsequent interview, the father-of-two claimed his family had been “fantastic” in the wake of the reveal and alleged he had never kept secrets from his wife, 60.
But three years later, the tides began to change when rumours of a rift between Holly and Phillip surfaced.
It’s understood the claims came after Phillip took a hiatus from This Morning to testify in court against his brother, Timothy Schofield.
After the man was convicted of sexually abusing a teenager in April 2023, the TV veteran shared a statement claiming he’d disowned his brother.
Upon his return, fans were quick to point out a “frosty” atmosphere on This Morning, with later reporting the co-hosts “barely [spoke]” off camera and that underlying issues between them both had “rumbled for some time”.
I claims, Phillip said: “The last few weeks haven’t been easy for either of us. As I have said before, Holly is my rock.”
He continued: “We’re the best of friends – as always, she is an incredible support on screen, behind the scenes and on the phone.”
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On May 20, Phillip with “immediate effect” following the reports regarding his relationship with Holly.
*“*I have always been proud to cover fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story,” he stated at the time.
“Throughout my career in TV – including the very difficult last few days – I have always done my best to be honourable and kind.
“I understand that ITV has decided the current situation can’t go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love.
“So I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future.”
Six days after leaving This Morning, Phillip quit ITV after admitting he’d lied about having an affair with a younger male colleague.
In a statement to the , he claimed he “Met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television”.
He continued: “It was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.”
An ITV spokesperson said they were “deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit,” confirming they’d cut all ties with the host.
Phillip is set to return to television 16 months after his last appearance (Image: CHANNEL 5)
Holly , taking to to write: “When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
“It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.”
Phillip later sat down with ’s Amol Rajan to speak about the affair in a 43-minute interview.
During the offering, he admitted he had “lost everything” in the wake of the scandal and didn’t believe there was any chance of salvaging his career.
Five months after Phillip departed from This Morning,
After 14 years holding court on the sofa, she claimed she’d made the decision “for [herself] and [her] family.”
“It’s been an honour to just be part of its story and I know this story has many chapters left to go,” she added. “Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family.”
In March, and were named as the new presenters on This Morning.
On Wednesday (September 25) in the Channel 5 Cast Away series on .
He wrote to his 2.7 million followers: “Now you know how I spent my Summer! Alone for 10 days, no food, no water, no crew. My story of survival, both on a desert island and off it.”
Tune into the first episode of : Cast Away on Monday at 9pm on Channel 5.