Phillip Schofield stepped away from ITV in May 2023 under a cloud of scandal, and now after 16 months out of the spotlight, he is back on television — this time stranded on a desert island. His return in Channel 5’s Cast Away has reignited questions about what really happened, why he left, and whether the public is ready to welcome him back.
Born: 1 April 1962 · Known for: This Morning, Dancing on Ice · Notable event: Resigned from ITV in May 2023 · Recent project: Channel 5’s Cast Away (2024) · Instagram followers: 3 million
Quick snapshot
- Returned to TV in Channel 5’s Cast Away in September 2024 — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
- Left ITV and This Morning in May 2023 after admitting a relationship with a younger colleague — BBC News (public broadcaster)
- Brother Timothy convicted of child sex offences in April 2023 — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
- Exact net worth — figures range from £1 million to £10 million without verification
- Current relationship status — no confirmed partner since divorce in 2020
- Future ITV involvement — no indication of a return to the network
- ITV’s position on Schofield’s claims about his dismissal — the network has not officially confirmed or denied
- Born 1 April 1962 (The Guardian (UK news outlet))
- Co-hosted This Morning from 2002 to 2023 (The Guardian (UK news outlet))
- Resigned from ITV in May 2023 (The Guardian (UK news outlet))
- Returned to TV in September 2024 with Cast Away — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
- No confirmed upcoming TV projects beyond Cast Away (Instagram (social media))
- Active on Instagram with 3 million followers — Instagram (social media)
- Public perception remains divided; future career depends on audience response (Instagram (social media))
Six key biographical details sum up Schofield’s public profile, from his early career to his current status.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Phillip Bryan Schofield |
| Birth date | 1 April 1962 |
| Birth place | Oldham, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Television presenter |
| Years active | 1985–2023 (mainstream); 2024 return |
| Known for | This Morning, Dancing on Ice |
What Has Happened to Phillip Schofield Now?
Phillip Schofield’s 2024 Return: Cast Away
In late September 2024, Phillip Schofield made his first television appearance since leaving ITV. He starred in Channel 5’s Cast Away, a three-part series aired across three nights at 9pm — The Guardian (UK news outlet). The show placed him alone on a remote island near Madagascar for nearly two weeks — The Guardian (UK news outlet).
During the programme, Schofield addressed the 2023 scandal. He described his relationship with a younger ITV colleague as “unwise, but not illegal” — The Guardian (UK news outlet). He also claimed he was “dismissed for someone else’s wrongdoing,” referring to his brother Timothy’s conviction — The Guardian (UK news outlet).
Schofield’s claim that ITV fired him because of his brother’s crimes shifts responsibility away from the affair. ITV insiders have reportedly called that version “untrue” — The Sun (tabloid, citing unnamed sources).
Current Legal and Professional Status
Schofield remains under no legal restriction barring him from television work. He resigned from ITV in May 2023 and has not been reinstated. ITV conducted an independent investigation in June 2023 into how it handled allegations relating to Schofield and staff complaints on This Morning — The Guardian (UK news outlet). His return to Channel 5 is a one-off commission; no further projects have been announced.
Bottom line: Schofield has returned to TV but remains absent from ITV. His future hinges on public reception and network willingness to take him on.
What Happened with Philip Schofield?
The 2023 Scandal Summary
In May 2023, Phillip Schofield admitted he had lied about a relationship with a younger male colleague at ITV — BBC News (public broadcaster). He described it as “unwise but not unlawful.” The revelation came shortly after his brother, Timothy Schofield, was sentenced to prison for child sex offences in April 2023 — The Guardian (UK news outlet).
Schofield says he was open with ITV about his brother’s case, but the network maintains that his departure was due to the relationship and subsequent dishonesty.
Timeline of Key Events
- February 2020: Schofield came out as gay in a social media post — Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
- April 2023: Brother Timothy convicted of sexual offences against a child — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
- May 2023: Schofield admitted relationship, resigned from ITV — BBC News (public broadcaster)
- October 2023: Holly Willoughby left This Morning — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
Bottom line: Two scandals — his brother’s conviction and his own concealed affair — converged in 2023, forcing Schofield off mainstream television.
Is Holly Willoughby Still Friends with Philip Schofield?
Current Status of Their Relationship
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield co-hosted This Morning for over a decade, but the friendship fractured after May 2023. In a television interview, Willoughby stated she had not spoken to Schofield since his departure — The Guardian (UK news outlet). She herself left the show in October 2023, citing the need to step away for her family — The Guardian (UK news outlet).
Public Statements from Holly Willoughby
Willoughby has not publicly spoken about Schofield since her departure. Reports indicate the friendship is over — LBC (UK radio news).
The pattern: Willoughby’s clean break suggests the professional bond that defined daytime TV is unlikely to return.
Does Phillip Schofield Have a Partner Now?
Relationship History
Schofield married Stephanie Lowe in 1993; they separated after he came out as gay in February 2020 and divorced later that year — Wikipedia (community encyclopedia). In his 2020 statement, he said he had been “coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.”
Current Relationship Status
No confirmed partner has been publicly named since his divorce. Schofield has not introduced a new partner on social media or in interviews. His personal life remains private, and speculation about a new relationship is unsubstantiated.
Bottom line: Schofield is single by all public accounts. His focus appears to be on career rehabilitation rather than a new partnership.
What Is Phillip Schofield’s Net Worth and Age?
Phillip Schofield Age
Born 1 April 1962, Schofield turned 62 in 2024 — Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).
Net Worth Estimates
Estimates vary widely. Some outlets suggest a net worth of £1–10 million, but no verified financial disclosure exists — The Sun (tabloid, unsourced figures). His earnings from This Morning were not publicly confirmed, and his post-ITV income is unknown. The implication: any precise figure without a reliable source is speculation.
Bottom line: Schofield’s net worth remains unverified; published figures should be treated as speculative.
Timeline: Phillip Schofield’s Career and Scandal
- : Born in Oldham, Lancashire
- : Began career as Children’s BBC continuity announcer
- : Co-hosted ITV’s This Morning — Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
- : Came out as gay via social media — Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
- : Brother Timothy convicted of child sex offences
- : Admitted relationship with younger ITV colleague; resigned from ITV — BBC News (public broadcaster)
- : Holly Willoughby left This Morning
- : Returned to TV in Channel 5’s Cast Away — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
The timeline illustrates the swift sequence of events that reshaped Schofield’s career.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 1 April 1962 — Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)
- Resigned from ITV in May 2023 — BBC News (public broadcaster)
- Appeared in Cast Away in 2024 — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
- Admitted relationship with younger colleague — The Guardian (UK news outlet)
What remains unclear
- Current relationship status — no public partner
- Exact net worth — no verified source
- Future ITV involvement — none indicated
- ITV’s stance on Schofield’s dismissal claims — network has not officially confirmed or denied
These gaps leave room for ongoing speculation about Schofield’s future.
Key Quotes
“It was unwise, but not illegal. I am forever sorry.”
Phillip Schofield in Cast Away, quoted by The Guardian (UK news outlet)
“I have not spoken to Phillip since he left This Morning.”
Holly Willoughby, as reported by The Guardian (UK news outlet)
“He was dismissed for someone else’s wrongdoing.”
Phillip Schofield, discussing his brother’s conviction, The Telegraph (UK newspaper)
Schofield’s return to television has reopened a conversation that ITV hoped was closed. For the broadcaster, the risk is that each new interview re-lites the scandal. For Schofield, the choice is clear: win back a forgiving audience or accept that his prime-time days are behind him.
gbnews.com, lbc.co.uk, irishtimes.com, independent.co.uk, abendfokus.de
Frequently asked questions
Is Phillip Schofield returning to television?
Yes, he returned in September 2024 on Channel 5’s Cast Away. No further TV projects have been announced.
What was the relationship scandal involving Phillip Schofield?
He admitted to an “unwise but not unlawful” relationship with a younger male colleague at ITV while still married — BBC News (public broadcaster).
Why did Phillip Schofield leave ITV?
He resigned in May 2023 after the relationship was revealed. ITV said it accepted his resignation — The Guardian (UK news outlet).
How old is Phillip Schofield?
Born 1 April 1962, he is 62 years old as of 2024.
Does Phillip Schofield have a new job?
He has appeared in Channel 5’s Cast Away, but is not currently employed by ITV.
What did Holly Willoughby say about Phillip Schofield?
She said she had not spoken to him since his departure and later left This Morning herself — The Guardian (UK news outlet).
Where can I watch Phillip Schofield’s Cast Away?
The three-part series aired on Channel 5 in the UK in September 2024 and is available on My5 catch-up.
Related reading
- Russell Brand: Diagnoses, Sobriety, Marriage & Legal Case — Another British TV personality whose career was disrupted by public allegations.
- James Charles: Biography, Controversy, and Current Status — A public figure navigating controversy and reinvention, similar to Schofield’s arc.
These profiles offer comparative perspectives on public figures navigating controversy.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.