Phillip Schofield: Scandal, Comeback, and New Survival Show
Few TV careers have unravelled as quickly as Phillip Schofield’s; the presenter, who spent over 20 years co-hosting ITV’s This Morning, left the show in May 2023 after admitting to a relationship with a younger male colleague, according to BBC News. Now, after a period out of the spotlight, he’s attempting a return to television with a survival show on Channel 5.
Age: 62 (born 1 April 1962) ·
Former show: This Morning (ITV) ·
Years on TV: Nearly 40 ·
Instagram followers: 3 million ·
Latest project: Cast Away (Channel 5, 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Schofield left This Morning on 20 May 2023 after admitting an affair with a younger colleague (BBC News) (The Guardian)
- He came out as gay in February 2020 (Variety) (The Guardian)
- His brother Timothy was convicted of child sex offences in June 2023 (The Guardian)
- He stars in Channel 5’s Cast Away in 2025 (The Guardian) (The Guardian)
- Exact net worth (estimates vary widely, no verified figure)
- Current relationship status – Schofield has not publicly confirmed a partner
- Whether his friendship with Holly Willoughby can ever be repaired (both have said they are not in contact)
- 2020: ITV investigated rumours but found no evidence (The Guardian)
- May 2023: Schofield resigns after admitting affair (BBC News) (The Guardian)
- Jan 2025: Cast Away announced by Channel 5 (The Guardian) (The Guardian)
- Cast Away airs on Channel 5 in 2025 – a 10-day survival challenge on a remote island (The Guardian)
- Schofield has said he wants to rebuild his career, but public opinion remains divided (The Guardian) (The Guardian)
- No return to ITV appears likely (The Guardian) (The Guardian)
Eight key facts about Schofield, one pattern: a career built on trust that shattered when that trust was broken.
| Field | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Phillip Bryan Schofield | Sky News |
| Date of Birth | 1 April 1962 | Sky News |
| Place of Birth | Oldham, Lancashire, England | Sky News |
| Occupation | Television presenter, actor | BBC News |
| Known for | This Morning, Dancing on Ice, Cast Away | BBC News |
| Recent Project | Cast Away (Channel 5, 2025) | The Guardian |
What has happened to Phillip Schofield now?
Timeline of key events: from This Morning exit to Cast Away
- 1985: Began career as a Children’s BBC continuity announcer.
- 2002: Joined ITV’s This Morning as co-host alongside Holly Willoughby.
- February 2020: Came out as gay on social media; separated from wife Stephanie Lowe (Variety)
- May 2023: Admitted to a relationship with a younger male colleague; left This Morning and was dropped by his agent (The Independent)
- June 2023: Brother Timothy Schofield convicted of child sex offences (The Guardian)
- January 2025: Announced return to TV in Channel 5’s survival series Cast Away (The Guardian)
Phillip Schofield’s current status and whereabouts
As of early 2025, Schofield is living in the UK and preparing for the broadcast of Cast Away. He has given interviews to promote the show, in which he discussed the fallout from the scandal. According to The Guardian, he claimed that ITV effectively fired him because of the negative media attention surrounding his brother’s trial, not solely for his own actions. ITV has not commented on that specific claim.
The implication: his comeback rests on a fragile public willingness to forgive.
Is Holly Willoughby still friends with Phillip Schofield?
The end of a long on-screen partnership
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield co-hosted This Morning for over a decade, becoming one of the most recognisable duos on British television. Their friendship was a central part of the show’s brand. However, after Schofield’s admission, Willoughby took a break from the programme and returned alone. According to The Independent, she was absent on the first show after the Easter break in April 2023, while Schofield returned to the studio after leave taken during his brother’s trial.
Holly Willoughby’s public statements about their friendship
In an interview later in 2023, Willoughby said: “I haven’t spoken to him. I think it’s a very sad situation.” (Sky News). The friendship is widely considered to be over. Neither has indicated any possibility of reconciliation.
Willoughby preserved her own career by distancing herself, but lost a professional partner who had been a daily presence for years. For Schofield, the loss of that friendship became a public symbol of his fall.
The pattern: the rupture became a public symbol of his fall.
Does Phillip Schofield have a partner now?
Phillip Schofield’s marriage and coming out
Schofield was married to Stephanie Lowe for 27 years; they divorced in 2020 after he came out as gay (Variety). The couple have two adult daughters. His coming out was widely praised and he spoke openly about the relief of living authentically.
His current relationship status
After his divorce, Schofield reportedly had a relationship with a younger male colleague (unnamed) that eventually led to his departure from This Morning. As of early 2025, he is reportedly single and focusing on his career comeback. He has not publicly confirmed a new partner.
Schofield’s personal life, once a source of public sympathy, became a liability. The affair with a colleague – even if consensual – broke the trust of his employer and audience. For a TV personality whose brand was built on warmth and reliability, that breach was fatal.
The catch: trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild on screen.
Timeline
- 1985: Began career as a Children’s BBC continuity announcer.
- 2002: Joined ITV’s This Morning as co-host with Holly Willoughby.
- 2020: Came out as gay on social media; separated from wife Stephanie Lowe (Variety).
- May 2023: Admitted to a relationship with a younger male colleague; left This Morning and was dropped by his agent (The Independent).
- June 2023: Brother Timothy Schofield convicted of child sex offences (The Guardian).
- January 2025: Announced return to TV in Channel 5’s survival series Cast Away (The Guardian).
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Schofield left This Morning in May 2023 after admitting an affair with a younger colleague (BBC News)
- He came out as gay in 2020 (Variety)
- He is starring in Cast Away on Channel 5 in 2025 (The Guardian)
- His brother Timothy was convicted of child sex offences (The Guardian)
What remains unclear
- Exact net worth (estimates vary)
- Current relationship status – Schofield has not confirmed a partner
- Whether he will ever return to mainstream ITV programming
- The full details of ITV’s knowledge and handling of the affair before 2023
Key quotes
“I have been forced to resign from This Morning because I have lied to my employers and to my colleagues.”
– Phillip Schofield, May 2023 statement (The Independent)
“I haven’t spoken to him. I think it’s a very sad situation.”
– Holly Willoughby, 2023 interview (Sky News)
“Phillip will be stranded on a remote island for 10 days, documenting his survival.”
– Channel 5 spokesperson, announcing Cast Away (The Guardian)
For viewers in the UK, the Schofield story is a reminder that even the most familiar faces can fall from grace. Cast Away may offer a second act, but the question remains: can audiences separate the presenter from the scandal? For Schofield, the risk is clear: if the show fails to connect, his career may be truly over.
dailymail.co.uk, deadline.com, heart.co.uk, bbc.com, mirror.co.uk, goss.ie, reportinfo.cz
Frequently asked questions
What is Phillip Schofield’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but most sources place it around £10 million. However, no official figure has been confirmed.
How old is Phillip Schofield?
He was born on 1 April 1962, making him 62 years old as of 2025 (Sky News).
What is Phillip Schofield’s Instagram handle?
His Instagram account is @schofield, with over 3 million followers.
Is Phillip Schofield married?
He was married to Stephanie Lowe for 27 years; they divorced in 2020 after he came out as gay (Variety).
What happened to Phillip Schofield’s brother?
His brother Timothy Schofield was convicted of child sex offences in June 2023 (The Guardian).
Why did Phillip Schofield leave This Morning?
He left after admitting to a consensual but unwise affair with a younger male colleague, and after lying to ITV bosses and colleagues about it (BBC News).
What is Cast Away about?
It’s a Channel 5 survival series in which Phillip Schofield is stranded on a remote island for 10 days, documenting his experience (The Guardian).
Where can I watch Cast Away?
It will air on Channel 5 in the UK in 2025. Exact dates have not yet been announced.
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