Defiant Phillip Schofield spotted on dog walk after claims there’s ‘no path for TV comeback’(Image: BACKGRID)
Despite a report suggesting he has “no path for a comeback” and will he not likely be picked up by any broadcaster again, TV presenter Phillip Schofield appeared defiant as he puffed out his chest during a dog walk with his daughter Molly.
The former ITV presenter made a TV comeback last year on Channel 5 but, after his scandalous exit from ITV’s This Morning and Dancing on Ice, he seems to be taking things easy as he enjoyed a leisurely and sun-filled stroll in London on Tuesday.
Phillip, 63, who was also embroiled in feud rumours with his co-host Holly Willoughby, looked confident and content as he enjoyed some sunshine on the walk with his daughter, 31, and his beloved dog. The former ITV presenter kept things casual in the wardrobe department as he opted for a spring-inspired look with a breezy pale blue shirt and a plain white t-shirt underneath.
Finishing off his casual yet chic look, Phillip opted for a pair of light grey linen trousers as he appeared to embrace to glorious spring weather and warm temperatures. Meanwhile, his daughter Molly looked elegant in an oversized black blazer and a pair of baggy jeans. She finished off the look with some white chunky trainers.
Phil looked confident and content as he enjoyed some sunshine on the walk(Image: BACKGRID)
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Phillip’s latest appearance comes after a PR expert suggested that his days on television are most likely behind him for good, following the controversy that led to his departure from ITV’s This Morning in May, 2023. The TV star stepped away from the programme after over 20 years. His exit followed widespread backlash over his involvement with a much younger male colleague – a relationship he later described as “unwise but not illegal.”
Despite the public fallout, Phillip has remained close with his wife, Stephanie Lowe, who has continued to support him, along with their daughters, Ruby and Molly. PR strategist Riley Gardiner has weighed in on whether a comeback is at all feasible for Phillip, especially within the UK’s broadcasting scene.
Speaking to Entertainment Daily, Gardiner made it clear that any return to mainstream television seems implausible. They said: “I can’t see Phillip Schofield returning to mainstream television any time soon – at least in the short to medium term. The nature of his exit from ITV amid the high-profile scandal and intense media scrutiny has left his reputation in a difficult place, particularly with broadcasters who are highly sensitive to public perception.”
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Phillip enjoyed some quality time with his daughter Molly(Image: BACKGRID)
According to the expert, ITV, in particular, is unlikely to revisit any association with Phillip due to the backlash the network received in the aftermath. “I definitely can’t see a return to ITV ever coming,” he said. “After he left, the broadcaster was on the receiving end of a lot of criticism about how they handled the situation and failed to safeguard their staff. Bringing him back now is too big of a reputation risk.
“For that same reason, major terrestrial broadcasters such as the BBC or Channel 4 are also unlikely to offer him a platform. Without a significant shift in how audiences perceive him, his career in television appears to be over.”
Back in September, Phillip had been hoping to relaunch his career with a Channel 5 documentary – airing more than a year after his historic “unwise, but not illegal” affair destroyed his career. Three part docuseries Phillip Schofield: Cast Away began airing on Channel 5 back in September – attracting scathing reviews and dividing audiences.
Phillip appeared in high spirits as he enjoyed the sunshine(Image: BACKGRID)
However, the audience figures themselves have been low as ratings figures have shown just 1.4 million people tuned in to watch the fallen star mope around a desert island on his own. The documentary was aimed to help rehabilitate Schofield’s ruined public image, but saw audiences slam him online for appearing “narcissistic” and “unremorseful” over the origins of his self-inflicted career implosion.
It was later revealed that ITV outperformed Schofield’s heavily advertised TV return – as crime drama Joan, starring Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner, attracted over 2 million viewers as it aired at the same time as Phillip’s doc. A Channel 5 spokesperson refused to officially comment if the ratings for Phillip Schofield Cast Away were considered a success or flop.
Phillip enjoyed a walk with his daughter amid claims he will never be able to make a comeback to TV (Image: BACKGRID)
In the first episode of the documentary series, Schofield said to the camera: “In the last 18 months my life has totally unravelled. I locked myself away from the outside world. But now I want to see if the ultimate isolation can finally set me free.” He was shown looking for crabs to eat and battling against harsh winds, as he reflected on how the survivalist experience helped to empty what he calls his “toxicity tanks”.
He added that he wants people to “bugger off and let me get on with the quiet life that you’ve all given me”, before sharing how “dark” things became. Reflecting on his ruined career, he said: “I miss parts of it. I miss most of it. There are bits I really, really don’t miss. You learn a lot about people. You learn a lot about people. I don’t miss that.”
