Former This Morning host Phillip Schofield has broken his silence on the scandal that ended his career, describing the period as 'utterly brutal'. The 64-year-old left ITV in May 2023 after admitting an 'unwise, but not illegal' affair with a younger male colleague.
Schofield first met the man when he was a 15-year-old drama student, but the affair did not begin until years later. The fallout cost him his job and his long-term friendship with Holly Willoughby, who cut all ties.
In an email to the Mail, Schofield said he now leads a 'calm and drama free' life, adding: 'I decided a while ago that I just wanted a quiet life with family, friends I can trust and my dog.' He admitted: 'The past few years were... utterly brutal on so many levels and I came to terms with the fact that there was no way back.'
Schofield married Stephanie in 1993 and came out as gay on This Morning in 2020. After the affair emerged, he told The Sun that his wife was 'very, very angry'. The couple separated in February 2020 but remain married.
PR expert Mayah Riaz told the Mirror that Schofield's situation remains complicated, saying it 'sits in that grey area between a genuine wrongdoing and a very public unravelling'. She described Holly Willoughby as 'collateral damage', placed in an impossible position.
Schofield's daughters, Molly and Ruby, have stood by him. Speaking on Channel 5, Molly said: 'When my dad came out, it was very hard for me... but we talked through it, and over time it’s got easier. We will always continue to support him no matter what.'
