Phillip Schofield was seen being escorted by a mystery man after a boozy lunch date with his daughter Molly and friend Scott Brown earlier this week. The 63-year-old former This Morning presenter was photographed walking arm in arm with the man as they left The Arzner Bar, an LGBTQ+ cinema and café in Bermondsey, South East London.
Reports have now identified the man as Joshua Sharman, a 30-year-old London-based nurse and academic. According to sources, Sharman is believed to be in a relationship with Schofield's friend Scott Brown, and the pair have become part of the presenter's support network as he rebuilds his life.
A source told the Daily Mail that Schofield is “enjoying his best gay life” and navigating his newfound freedom after years of hiding his true sexuality. “He is who he is and now he is able to be that person,” the source said. “He's built up a group of friends in the community and is loving life.”
Schofield resigned from ITV in 2023 after admitting an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague on This Morning. He had come out as gay in February 2020. Since quitting the show, he has largely retreated from the spotlight, though he made a brief TV comeback on Channel 5's Cast Away last year.
The ex-presenter remains married to Stephanie Lowe, with whom he has two daughters, Molly and Ruby. He is reportedly spending more time in the London Bridge, Waterloo, and Bermondsey areas, distancing himself from his former Chiswick lifestyle.
