Phillip Schofield’s rumoured TV comeback is said to have stalled after the presenter blamed ITV for ‘throwing him under the bus’.
The Broom Cupboard star, 62, quit This Morning on May 26 last year before he admitted to an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with his colleague on the show. Since the scandal, which ITV said was ‘deeply disappointing’, the dad-of-two has kept a low profile, breaking cover only to take walks with his wife Steph and daughters, Molly and Ruby.
However, after recently being papped at a four-hour dinner with ITV’s jewel in the crown, Declan Donnelly, as well as enlisting his daughter, Molly, as his agent – and returning to social media – there were reports Phil was launching a soft showbiz comeback.
But, ITV, who Phil admitted to lying to about his relationship with the young runner on This Morning, is not interested in renewing his contract, according to reports.
Phillip Schofield will not be returning to ITV any time soon, according to reports (
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“We don’t want him, why would we want him back?” asked one senior member of staff at the network. “The place is much nicer without him,” reports the Mail.
Following the furore, which sent shockwaves through the showbiz world, there are reports that Phil is blaming ITV for ‘throwing him under the bus’ following his resignation. The outlet states a source said: “Phillip firmly believes that he has been mistreated by ITV. He thinks he was thrown under the bus. From some of what he says, he feels he is the victim.”
The story also reports the BBC “won’t touch” the star in light of the controversy at ITV. The Mirror has contacted the corporation for comment.
In news which hit all the headlines, Phil admitted to having an affair with a younger ITV member of staff in May last year causing him to be dropped by his talent agency YMU.
In a statement, the This Morning star apologised for his actions, explaining: “I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning. Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.”
ITV accepted his resignation with immediate effect, as a source told the Mirror : “We are deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit made tonight by Phillip Schofield. The relationships we have with those we work with are based on trust. Philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue and we feel badly let down. We accept his resignation from ITV and therefore can confirm that he will not be appearing on ITV as had previously been stated.”
There have been recent rumours circulating that Phillip was to take legal action against ITV, where he also hosted quiz show The Cube and the now defunct British Soap Awards. However, his lawyer, Jonathan Coad, denies this.
