PHILLIP Schofield has finally returned to the screen after a stormy year and the TV world is buzzing.
The former This Morning legend spent ten days alone on an island where he filmed himself talking to camera for the Channel 5 show, Cast Away.
His wife Steph, and daughters Ruby and Mollie sent him off with an emotional final dinner, before he revealed shocking details about his This Morning departure, his personal life, and his fallout with ITV.
However, some ITV insiders have accused him of lying on the show – after he blamed his brother’s arrest for being sacked from This Morning.
Here are the biggest revelations from the interview:
Drowning in guilt
Schofield admitted that he was overwhelmed with guilt following his public exit from This Morning.
He confessed that the controversy surrounding his affair with a younger colleague consumed him emotionally.
“I was drowning,” Schofield revealed, noting that the backlash was far worse than he had anticipated.
ITV fallout: No contact after he left
The presenter didn’t hold back when discussing his fallout with ITV.
Schofield revealed that he hasn’t had any contact with the channel since he was fired.
Schofield blamed his brother for being fired from his lucrative This Morning and Dancing on Ice gigs.
Despite years as one of ITV’s most high-profile stars, the relationship turned frosty after his scandal made headlines.
He said: “Man alive, people can be fake. They can be so fake.
“With you when it’s all going well and suddenly utter, utter betrayal.
“When the tidal wave washed through and it washed everybody away, the ones that were still standing, they’re the ones that matter.
“And I thought, how many friends do you need?
“I don’t need 200 fake friends. I’ve got 10, 15, friends I would die for, and they would die for me.”
His affair wasn’t illegal
The TV veteran addressed the ongoing talk about his affair, clarifying that, while morally wrong, it wasn’t illegal.
He said the relationship happened between “two consenting adults” and denied any improper conduct while the younger colleague worked on This Morning.
Holly Willoughby silence
Surprisingly, Schofield admitted that his friendship with Holly Willoughby has been effectively over since the scandal broke.
Once daytime TV’s golden duo, Schofield confessed they no longer talk, with Holly keeping her distance ever since the affair hit the headlines.
Toxic work culture? Schofield says “No”
Amid reports of a “toxic” work culture at This Morning, Schofield pushed back against the allegations.
He praised the crew and behind-the-scenes staff, calling it a “wonderful place” to work.
The former host seemed baffled by claims of toxicity, despite his own highly public exit.
Struggling with Mental Health
Schofield also revealed the emotional toll the past year has taken on his mental health. He admitted to having dark thoughts, sharing, “I didn’t see a way forward.”
He thanked his family and close friends, who have been a lifeline throughout the ordeal.
What’s next for Phillip?
As for what comes next, Schofield didn’t hint at any longer big TV comeback and said he won’t return to daytime telly.
He said: “This is the last challenge… I’m not going to sit on a sofa again. I won’t do that again.
“And there are some people I won’t work for again. Some people I won’t work with again.
“I’ve been hurt so badly by that sort of telly, and by some of the people in that sort of telly, that you get to the point where you think, ‘I don’t want to do it anymore.’”
After 40 years in the spotlight, he said he is now focusing on rebuilding his personal life.
