Phillip Schofield, now 63, was one of the most famous faces on British daytime television before he was enveloped in a scandal that saw his public image and career shatter
Phillip Schofield was once one of the most recognisable and trusted faces in British daytime television, but today his career sits in a very different place. Following his departure from ITV and the controversy surrounding his admission of an undisclosed relationship with a younger colleague, he has largely kept out of the public eye.
Nearly two years on, people have been left wondering if Schofield, now 63, will ever make a return to mainstream media. The presenter stepped down from ITV in 2023 after admitting he had lied about a past relationship with a younger male colleague on This Morning while still married to his wife Stephanie Lowe.
While Schofield first met the individual when he was a 15-year-old student at a drama school, the affair did not commence until years later. ITV later confirmed it had investigated the matter previously but said it had not found evidence at the time that contradicted Schofield’s statements.
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His exit marked a sudden end to more than two decades at the broadcaster, where he fronted This Morning, Dancing on Ice, and multiple prime-time specials. Since then, he has not returned to mainstream UK daytime presenting.
Damaged public image
PR and reputation experts say the scale of the backlash became about more than the original incident. PR expert Mayah Riaz says: “Phillip Schofield’s situation is complicated as it still makes people feel a bit uncomfortable because it sits in that grey area between a genuine wrongdoing and a very public unravelling.
“What Phillip did was wrong, but the scale of what followed became something far bigger than the original issue. The narrative stopped being about the incident and became about what he represented. He became the person the industry made an example of.”
She adds that visibility played a key role: “There are certainly people in television who have done far worse and faced far less public and professional consequence. That is where accusations of hypocrisy creep in. Phil’s case was visible, emotional and very easy for the public to understand. That made him a perfect lightning rod.”
Career
Schofield later appeared on a survival-style reality programme and gave interviews addressing his departure and his treatment by ITV. Reaction was mixed, with some viewers sympathetic and others critical of his tone.
Riaz adds: “His appearance on the survival show and his comments about ITV did not help because they reinforced a narrative of bitterness rather than reflection.
“Audiences are surprisingly forgiving when they feel someone has truly owned their mistakes. They are far less forgiving when they feel someone is still fighting the system.”
Figures reported by MailOnline in 2025 revealed that Phil pocketed a mere £20,000 in 2024, a far cry from the seven-figure salary he once raked in from ITV. Records from his company, Fistral Productions, show it coughed up just £3,947 in tax for the year ending in November 2024, suggesting a dip in income.
Despite it still being active on companies house, its Google profile claims it’s “permanently closed”. However, the company still boasts net assets of £2.1 million according to its records, keeping him financially buoyant despite his career downfall.
Family life
Schofield has historically owned property in London and Oxfordshire, but after his scandal he fled to his £839,428 home in Cornwall. The house was bought through Fistral Properties which is their joint company that was established in 2019, named after Fistral Beach in Cornwall, which is where the star grew up.
The property boasts a cosy living room, which Phillip showed off when he was promoting his book, Life’s What You Make It. The space has neutral décor with rustic features like a clock, candles and a beautiful fireplace.
The home also features a stunning garden complete with a patio, climbing plants, and a flashy fire pit. The specific design is the ‘Leaf Fire Bowl’ from Wahlström Fire Pits, which is listed on the brand’s website at £1,020. The star was gifted the feature and he promoted it on his Instagram.
The former couple share two daughters together, Molly and Ruby Lowe, and the family are very close knit. Both daughters have publicly expressed support for him during the fallout period.
His daughter Molly Schofield also gave an interview about her reaction to her father coming out on the Channel 5 show, saying: “When my dad came out, it was… very hard for me, it was very hard for the entire family – mainly my mum, of course – everything was turned upside down.
“But we talked through it, and over time it’s got easier. You know, my mum, my sister (Ruby), we’re all the same, we will always continue to support him no matter what,” she added.
Romance
The presenter was seen leaning on the shoulder of his pal, revealed to be nurse Joshua Luke Sharman, after the pair enjoyed drinks together in central London in August 2025.
They were seen leaving London’s first LGBTQ+ dedicated cinema Arzner Bar & Cafe in Bermondsey at 7pm, sharing a kiss as they departed. The pair were seen with their arms around each other as they looked to stumble on their way out.
Phillip had his arm around Joshua’s waist, as his companion wrapped an arm around the TV star’s shoulder.
Relationship with Holly Willoughby
His former co-presenter Holly Willoughby also experienced fallout, though of a different kind, as audiences questioned what she knew and when.
Riaz describes her position as uniquely difficult: “She was absolutely collateral damage at the start. She was placed in an impossible position where any reaction was going to be criticised. Silence looked complicit, speaking out looked disloyal. That is a PR nightmare no one trains you for.”
She argues Willoughby’s brand challenge has been slower and more subtle: “Her brand was built on warmth, relatability and trust. Once viewers started questioning what she knew and when, that emotional connection weakened. TV audiences are instinctive. If they feel something is off, they drift away quietly rather than loudly.”
There has been no public reconciliation appearance between the two presenters since the controversy. However, sources have now claimed that Holly is finally ready to face her former This Morning co-star, nearly three years after the scandal.
“Holly is taking hold of life and facing her demons,” an insider told Heat magazine. “Phillip is one of those, so instead of burying him she will face him. She’s told pals if he wants to talk, she’s prepared to listen.
“Phil has reached out to Holly multiple times. He made several attempts to send her messages via mutual friends, but most fell on deaf ears. Holly wasn’t in a place to receive them.”
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