Phillip Schofield returns to social media one year after quitting This Morning-Kitty Chrisp-Entertainment – Metro

Phillip Schofield left This Morning in May last year (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Phillip Schofield has returned to social media in his first post since quitting This Morning.

Schofield left the popular ITV breakfast television programme in May 2023 after admitting to lying about an affair with a younger colleague on the show, and amid an alleged feud with co-host Holly Willoughby, 43.

The dad-of-two presented This Morning for 20 years – 14 of which were spent next to Holly, who also left the show in October last year.

After a year-long absence from social media, the former TV presenter, 62, has taken to Instagram with a picture of his dog watching the F1, as he wrote: ‘Thankfully Alfie is a big F1 fan.’

Over 13,000 people have liked Schofield’s post, while his bio reads: ‘Nothing beats kindness, it sits quietly beyond all things.’

Since admitting to lying about having the ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair, Schofield has remained quiet, apparently putting his TV career on pause.

In May 2023 Schofield left This Morning, which he presented with Holly Willoughby for over 10 years (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The affair took place while he was still married to wife Stephanie Lowe and before he came out as gay on live TV in 2020.

Schofield previously said he ‘lost everything’ and feared he would ‘never work on telly again’ due to last year’s scandal.

This social media revival comes after it was reported Schofield is considering a comeback – in a move which is said to have been egged on by Saturday Night Takeaway star Declan Donnelly.

Since leaving This Morning, Schofield has remained close with former colleagues at ITV, including Ant and Dec, and Stephen Mulhern, while Alison Hammond previously refused to speak about the situation.

Lorraine Kelly has also come out to speak publicly in support of the presenter this year.

In an interview with The Times, she said Phil was ‘doing all right and he will be all right, but it’s hard.’

She admitted she was ‘heartbroken’ when the scandal and subsequent fallout happened, saying: ‘It’s just a shame for the amazing career that he’s had, for it to end like that.’

Schofield stepped back from the limelight last May (Picture: @schofe/Instagram)

Recent pictures obtained by The Sun showed Schofield and Dec on a London outing together, smiling and laughing together.

An onlooker told the tabloid: ‘Phil and Dec were as thick as thieves and had clearly had a great night together.

‘Phil said something to Dec that really tickled him and he was laughing loudly.

‘They looked like any other friends would after having a fun night out together. Phil seemed totally at ease.’

Sources close to Schofield have revealed that many of his former colleagues are believed to be pushing for him to return to work.

‘Since he left This Morning, Phil has been held up by the support of friends like Ant, Dec and Alison Hammond,’ said one source.

‘They have all been rallying around him and their support, especially from Dec who is such a good friend, has really helped Phil.’

The source added that some TV executives have contacted Schofield for a possible return to TV, and friends have told him to consider it.

‘Phil is still shell-shocked by everything that happened last year and is happy at the moment to focus on rebuilding his life with the support of his friends and family,’ they said.

‘Whether he will make a comeback – whether it’s on TV or radio – is still undecided but the offers are there if he wants to pursue them,’ this source added.

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