Phillip Schofield was one of the biggest names in British TV, but his career came to an abrupt end in 2023 after admitting he lied about a relationship with a younger colleague on This Morning
Phillip Schofield’s career came crashing down after it emerged he had an affair with a male colleague on This Morning(Image: Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Phillip Schofield was formerly among the most familiar and reliable personalities on British daytime telly, yet his professional standing has dramatically shifted. After leaving ITV amid the furore over his undisclosed relationship with a younger staff member, he’s mostly stayed away from the spotlight.
Almost two years later, questions linger about whether the 63-year-old presenter will ever resurface in mainstream broadcasting. Schofield resigned from ITV in 2023 following his confession that he’d been dishonest about a previous relationship with a younger male colleague on This Morning, all while remaining married to his wife Stephanie Lowe.
Though Schofield initially encountered the individual when he was a 15-year-old drama school pupil, the affair only began several years afterwards. ITV subsequently confirmed it had previously looked into the situation but stated it hadn’t uncovered evidence at that point which challenged Schofield’s account.
Phillip Schofield attends the TRIC awards at Grosvenor House on July 06, 2022 in London, England(Image: Getty Images)
His departure brought an abrupt end to over 20 years with the broadcaster, during which he helmed This Morning, Dancing on Ice, and numerous prime-time programmes. Since that time, he hasn’t made a comeback to mainstream UK daytime presenting.
Damaged public image
Specialists suggest the magnitude of the backlash extended well beyond the initial incident itself, reports the Mirror. According to PR expert Mayah Riaz: “Phillip Schofield’s situation is complicated as it still makes people feel a bit uncomfortable because it sits in that grey area between a genuine wrongdoing and a very public unravelling.”
“What Phillip did was wrong, but the scale of what followed became something far bigger than the original issue. The narrative stopped being about the incident and became about what he represented. He became the person the industry made an example of.”
She points out that prominence was a significant factor: “There are certainly people in television who have done far worse and faced far less public and professional consequence. That is where accusations of hypocrisy creep in. Phil’s case was visible, emotional and very easy for the public to understand. That made him a perfect lightning rod.”
Career
Schofield subsequently took part in a survival-style reality show and conducted interviews discussing his exit and how ITV had treated him. The response was divided, with some viewers showing sympathy whilst others took issue with his approach.
Former TV presenter Phillip Schofield in episode three of ‘Cast Away’ – his three-part docuseries on Channel 5 where he spends 10 days on a remote island reflecting on his career downfall and his life up until the present day(Image: Enterprise News and Pictures)
Riaz continues: “His appearance on the survival show and his comments about ITV did not help because they reinforced a narrative of bitterness rather than reflection.
“Audiences are surprisingly forgiving when they feel someone has truly owned their mistakes. They are far less forgiving when they feel someone is still fighting the system.”
Figures reported by MailOnline in 2025 disclosed that Phil earned just £20,000 in 2024, a stark contrast to the seven-figure salary he previously commanded from ITV. Documents from his company, Fistral Productions, indicate it paid merely £3,947 in tax for the year ending November 2024, pointing to a decline in earnings.
While the company remains active on Companies House, its Google profile states it’s “permanently closed”. Nevertheless, the firm still holds net assets of £2.1 million according to its filings, keeping him financially stable despite his professional setback.
Family life
Schofield has traditionally owned properties in London and Oxfordshire, but following his scandal he retreated to his £839,428 residence in Cornwall. The property was purchased through Fistral Properties, their joint company established in 2019, named after Fistral Beach in Cornwall, where the presenter spent his childhood.
Schofield has two adult daughters with his ex wife(Image: INSTAGRAM)
The residence features a welcoming living room, which Phillip displayed whilst promoting his book, Life’s What You Make It. The area has neutral styling with rustic touches including a clock, candles and an attractive fireplace.
The property also includes an impressive garden with a patio, climbing plants, and an eye-catching fire pit. The particular model is the ‘Leaf Fire Bowl’ from Wahlström Fire Pits, priced at £1,020 on the manufacturer’s website.
The presenter received the feature as a gift and showcased it on his Instagram. The ex-spouses share two daughters, Molly and Ruby Lowe, and maintain a tight-knit family unit.
Both girls have publicly stood by him throughout the turbulent aftermath.
His daughter Molly Schofield also spoke candidly about her response to her father’s revelation on the Channel 5 programme, explaining: “When my dad came out, it was… very hard for me, it was very hard for the entire family – mainly my mum, of course – everything was turned upside down.
Phillip Schofield and Stephanie Lowe’s are still married(Image: Getty Images Europe)
“But we talked through it, and over time it’s got easier. You know, my mum, my sister (Ruby), we’re all the same, we will always continue to support him no matter what,” she continued.
‘Romance’
The television personality was spotted resting his head on his friend’s shoulder, identified as nurse Joshua Luke Sharman, following an evening of drinks together in central London during August 2025.
The duo were photographed departing London’s pioneering LGBTQ+ cinema Arzner Bar and Cafe in Bermondsey at 7pm, exchanging a kiss as they left. The pair appeared unsteady on their feet as they exited with their arms around one another.
Phillip had placed his arm around Joshua’s waist, whilst his companion draped an arm across the broadcaster’s shoulder.
Relationship with Holly Willoughby
His former on-screen partner Holly Willoughby also faced repercussions, albeit different ones, as viewers scrutinised her awareness of events and the timeline.
Riaz portrays her situation as exceptionally challenging: “She was absolutely collateral damage at the start. She was placed in an impossible position where any reaction was going to be criticised. Silence looked complicit, speaking out looked disloyal. That is a PR nightmare no one trains you for.”
Insiders have claimed Holly is ready to face her ex best friend(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for BGC)
She contends that Willoughby’s brand difficulties have unfolded more gradually and discreetly: “Her brand was built on warmth, relatability and trust. Once viewers started questioning what she knew and when, that emotional connection weakened. TV audiences are instinctive. If they feel something is off, they drift away quietly rather than loudly.”
No public reunion has taken place between the two presenters since the furore erupted. Yet sources now suggest that Holly is finally prepared to confront her former This Morning colleague, almost three years on from the scandal.
“Holly is taking hold of life and facing her demons,” an insider revealed to Heat magazine. “Phillip is one of those, so instead of burying him she will face him. She’s told pals if he wants to talk, she’s prepared to listen.
“Phil has reached out to Holly multiple times. He made several attempts to send her messages via mutual friends, but most fell on deaf ears. Holly wasn’t in a place to receive them.”
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