Phillip Schofield cuts a casual figure as he steps out for a stroll amid speculation he is plotting a TV comeback
- Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected]
Phillip Schofield cut a casual figure as he stepped out for a stroll on Tuesday.
The TV presenter, 62, opted for a laid back look as he sported a white Henry Choice T-shirt and slim-fit jeans.
The former This Morning host, who appeared to be solo on the outing, completed his look with a pair of sunglasses.
It comes following speculation Phillip is plotting a comeback after his very public arrival at the British Grand Prix with his wife and two daughters earlier this month.
The outing came almost 13 months to the day since the broadcaster, 62, left ITV under a cloud.
Phillip Schofield cut a casual figure as he stepped out for a stroll on Tuesday
The TV presenter opted for a laid back look as he sported a white Henry Choice T-shirt and slim-fit jeans
But gone were the tears of that day - and instead a smile has returned, the same one that was clear for all to see after a four-hour dinner with friend Declan Donnelly last month.
These two public appearances are bound to prompt speculation: Is the former television star about to make a sensational comeback?
Mark Borkowski, arguably Britain's leading PR guru, told MailOnline that there should now be 'no surprise' if Mr Schofield makes a TV return, perhaps even in 2024.
But amid rumours execs at ITV and the BBC are not receptive, Phil must convince them that he can 'win back the trust' of audiences and be more 'likeable' after the scandal involving a younger male colleague and his falling out with Holly Willoughby.
'Never write off Phillip Schofield', Mr Borkowski told MailOnline: 'He's making all the right noises and hanging out with his A-List mates. He's rehabilitating and people like an underdog and a comeback story'.
Mr Borkowski said: 'There are no surprises here – and don't write off Phillip Schofield.
It comes following speculation Phillip is plotting a comeback after his very public arrival at the British Grand Prix with his wife and two daughters earlier this month
Phillip arrived at Silverstone by helicopter ahead of the British Grand Prix
'Phillip is a bona fide talent created by television. There aren't that many around at the moment as TV looks at more and more influencers and reality stars thrown up from places like Love Island.
'He has a talent. It's finding him a format'.
Phillip has mostly kept a low profile following his confession that he had an affair with a much younger colleague.
But in recent weeks he has started to slowly edge his way back into the public eye with a flurry of appearances.
He was snapped in London in early May looking relaxed as he laughed and joked with close pal Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall.
He had reportedly just enjoyed a four-hour dinner with ITV's golden boy at a restaurant close to their homes when they were spotted in hysterics.
Phillip followed that up days later by ending his social media blackout of nearly a year by reigniting his Instagram with a sweet photo of Alfie watching Formula One.
Daughters Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, as well as This Morning co-host Josie Gibson raced to like the post within minutes in a clear sign of support.
And his beloved daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father.
Phillip shared his first selfie to Instagram in over a year as he showed his support to the England football team in the Euro's 2024 final on Sunday
PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together.
Calling him a rare talent, Mr Borkowski said: 'He's testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving.'
Phillip told the BBC in an emotional interview last June the affair had finished his career and revealed that the fallout had left him feeling suicidal.
He told how his two daughters - Molly and Ruby - had saved his life and had 'guarded me and won't let me out of their sight'.
He admitted during the sit-down interview with Amol Rajan denied he had groomed the younger colleague, before telling critics: 'Do you want me to die? Because that's where I am.'
Phillip quit This Morning in a cloud of controversy having first lied to bosses about the 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the male runner 34 years his junior.
An external review led by barrister Jane Mulcahy KC concluded ITV had made 'considerable efforts' to find out the truth when rumours began to swirl about the relationship in 2019.
The snaps mark the first time Phillip has shared a photo of his face since May 2023 after he was axed from ITV when he finally admitted to having an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a much younger male colleague behind-the-scenes of This Morning
It led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby. He sent his ex-BFF a text message for lying to her about his affair
But the repeated denials meant the broadcaster was unable to uncover the truth until Schofield's admission.
The fallout from the scandal led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby.
After Phillip left the show in May, his co-host Holly Willoughby later quit in October due to an alleged kidnap plot.
The pair were officially replaced by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March as the two took on the show full time after a series of guest presenters had been rotating the daytime slot.
Back in March friends of the star have said that he is 'quite certain' he will never work again.
One said: 'Phillip has been very, very down recently. He doesn't know how he is going to work again. It's devastating for him to realise but he also knows that there is not a lot he can do about it. He doesn't know who will take him. He knows there is no way back to ITV or the BBC.'
Sources close to the star say that his friends are trying to encourage him to think he can have a 'fulfilling life' away from showbusiness.
One said: 'Just because he may not be on telly again doesn't mean he can't enjoy his life. Phil isn't so sure though.'
The star has though been tipped for a job on national radio – his 'first love' – with Britain's largest commercial stations said to be jostling to bring him in to woo new listeners from rivals, including BBC Radio 2.
