Phillip Schofield was seen in London on Wednesday, walking his cockapoo Alfie, marking his first public appearance since his former 'This Morning' co-host Holly Willoughby launched her new YouTube show, "Together." Schofield, 64, has largely remained out of the public eye since his departure from 'This Morning' in 2023 following revelations of an affair with a younger runner, an act he described as "unwise but not illegal."
His departure followed a significant fallout with Willoughby, with whom he had a close friendship. The rift deepened after his affair came to light, and Willoughby stated she felt "hurt" by his previous deceptions. The pair's once-strong bond, which included family holidays, deteriorated significantly.
Willoughby, after a period out of the spotlight, debuted her YouTube show "Together" last month. The show's initial episode, featuring actor Stanley Tucci, has faced criticism, with some reviewers comparing it unfavorably to Meghan Markle's lifestyle series. The Guardian described Willoughby's show as "a marginally less agonizing With Love, Meghan," while The Telegraph noted, "[Holly's] dire show makes Meghan look good." As of its first 24 hours online, the episode had garnered 41,000 views, and her channel had 11,000 subscribers. For comparison, "The Rest Is Entertainment" podcast, which launched in November 2023, has 138,000 subscribers and was among the top three entertainment podcasts in the UK. An episode from "The Rest Is Entertainment" posted on the same day as Willoughby's debut accumulated 29,000 views.
Earlier tensions between Schofield and Willoughby surfaced when Schofield accused her of betrayal, suggesting she played a role in his exit from 'This Morning' due to concerns about her public image. He also reportedly referred to Willoughby as "The Witch" after their departures. Willoughby had previously expressed frustration over Schofield's denials of the affair before he released a statement to the Daily Mail in May 2023, admitting to a "consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning." He resigned from ITV with immediate effect, expressing gratitude for his opportunities but acknowledging his poor judgment.
Schofield's wife, Stephanie Lowe, whom he married in 1993, was reportedly devastated by the revelation but has chosen not to file for divorce, with reports indicating that "the love is still very much there." Their daughter, Molly, has since become his publicist.
Schofield has previously stated that he did not "groom" his younger lover, despite meeting him at age 15. He asserted that "attraction is attraction" and that distinctions based on sexual orientation contribute to homophobia. He has spoken about experiencing suicidal thoughts following the scandal, crediting his daughters with saving his life by staying by his side.