12 February 2024 , 16:11
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Phillip Schofield is still having a tough time almost a year after his dramatic fall from TV, Lorraine Kelly has shared.
The telly stalwart sensationally quit ITV last May and was dropped by his agent after he admitted to an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a younger colleague. The 61-year-old stepped down as host of This Morning, which he co-presented alongside former best friend Holly Willoughby, after a staggering 20 years.
He admitted that he had lied to his bosses and family about the relationship, which left his career in tatters while the daytime show was plunged into scandal. After the news came to light, the married dad-of-two stepped out of the limelight, admitting that he felt 'broken and ashamed'.
Lorraine says she was 'heartbroken' amid the fallout from Phil's affairPresenter pal Lorraine, who stands by Phil, told The Sunday Times Magazine at the weekend: "I was heartbroken when all that happened. It's just a shame for the amazing career that he's had, for it to end like that."
Describing Schofield as 'generous' compared to other men in showbiz, the presenter argued that "everybody lost their minds a wee bit" during the outcry. The star has kept a low profile ever since - and was only papped enjoying dinner with friend Venessa Feltz in the following August.
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Lorraine Kelly says it is a shame what happened to Phillip Schofield's careerThe month after the bombshell admission, the TV star had told The Sun that he had been afraid to leave the house, and that the fallout had a 'catastrophic effect' on his mental health. He also revealed to the BBC that his daughters feared for his safety, and 'wouldn't let him out of their sight'.
However he looked in good spirits at the weekend, as he was photographed at London's Southbank on Sunday, taking a stroll with his wife and daughters, Molly, 30 and Ruby, 27. Sporting a grey knitted jumper, navy coat, skinny jeans and suede boots, Phil could be seen smiling as he chatted with his family and some pals.
The group were later spotted sharing their goodbyes after watching Chicken Run at the BFI (British Film Institute) and grabbing a bite to eat at The Green Room restaurant, taking turns to hug each other before departing. The family day out comes after Phil confirmed that he and Steph have no plans to divorce
Lorraine added: "He's doing all right and he will be all right, but it's hard." She said she found 'cancel culture' "very sad and quite depressing", and that there are people in the entertainment industry who are "gleeful at seeing somebody's downfall".
Publicity guru Mayah Riaz has revealed what she believes could be Phil's comeback plan this year. Speaking about the moment he came clean about the affair, she told the Mirror: "There was a negative reaction from the public. This was a complete opposite reaction he received when he initially came out as gay.
"He was seen as being dishonest with the public and this was the reason he received such a public backlash. Due to the nature of the affair being exposed, control was taken out of Phillip's hands, therefore, he was trying his best to exercise damage control.
"Due to his affair dominating headlines for weeks, as well as impacting negatively the reputation of his co-presenter, Holly, he had to speak out." Speaking about how heartbreaking it would have been for the presenter to quit the daytime show, which he hosted from 2002, Mayah said he took one for the team.
He confessed he'd had an affair with a younger male ITV colleague last year (BBC)She said: "Phillip would have loved to have stayed at This Morning. However, his role was untenable and it was impacting on Holly's reputation too. Viewers were switching off and losing trust in him. Also, he had to leave due to the friendship between him and Holly breaking, which appeared to be beyond comparable."
Despite the scandal, Mayah believes there is 'potential' for him to make a return to our screens. But a TV appearance may not be his first step back into the limelight.
"He is an experienced presenter and people have realised how this scandal has impacted his mental health, so may not be so harsh on him if he return," Mayah explained. "His absence off screens has allowed time for reflection and personal growth. However, the timing and manner of his return would need to be carefully considered."
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The expert has suggested he could be well-suited to present for channels such as GB News or TalkTV. But before then, he could pursue presenting in a different format. "He could continue in presenting, leveraging his experience to connect with audiences," Mayah suggested. "Though this might be via other media platforms, such as hosting podcasts or a radio slot.
"He could write books, where he can share his experiences and insights. Additionally, given his ability to connect with people and his relatability, Philip could potentially engage in advocacy work, focusing on LGBTQ+ issues and promoting inclusivity."