Is Phillip Schofield plotting a comeback? Shamed TV star returns to public eye at Silverstone and on a night out with Declan Donnelly - but is warned he must find the 'right format' to win trust and become 'likeable' again
Whisked into Silverstone in a helicopter, it was a return to the A-list lifestyle that Phillip Schofield enjoyed for decades.
His very public arrival at the British Grand Prix with his wife and two daughters yesterday came almost 13 months to the day since the broadcaster, 62, left ITV under a cloud.
But gone were the tears of that day - and instead a smile has returned, the same one that was clear for all to see after a four-hour dinner with friend Declan Donnelly last month.
These two public appearances are bound to prompt speculation: Is the former television star about to make a sensational comeback?
Mark Borkowski, arguably Britain’s leading PR guru, told MailOnline that there should now be 'no surprise' if Mr Schofield makes a TV return, perhaps even in 2024.
But amid rumours execs at ITV and the BBC are not receptive, Phil must convince them that he can 'win back the trust' of audiences and be more 'likeable' after the scandal involving a younger male colleague and his falling out with Holly Willoughby.
'Never write off Phillip Schofield', Mr Borkowski told MailOnline: 'He's making all the right noises and hanging out with his A-List mates. He's rehabilitating and people like an underdog and a comeback story’.
The broadcaster was all smiles with his family yesterday amid rumours he is plotting a comeback
Former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield arrived at Silverstone by helicopter ahead of the British Grand Prix
Phil grinned as he arrived for the race in Northamptonshire alongside his wife Stephanie Lowe and his two daughters, Molly, 30, and Ruby, 27.
Former This Morning host Phillip Schofield, 62, was pictured smiling with I'm A Celebrity star Declan Donnelly, 48, charging rumours that a return to TV for the axed presenter is on the cards
During his epic tumble from grace, Mr Schofield's failing friendship with ITV co-host Holly Willoughby, 43, became a national fascination. Their relationship is over, sources say
Mr Borkowski said: ‘There are no surprises here – and don't write off Phillip Schofield.
‘Phillip is a bona fide talent created by television. There aren't that many around at the moment as TV looks at more and more influencers and reality stars thrown up from places like Love Island.
‘He has a talent. It's finding him a format'.
Mr Borkowski has said that Mr Schofield will be searching a for a TV format to relaunch his career – and should take note of Noel Edmonds’ successful return to TV with Deal or No Deal.
A quiz show format like that, for example, could give him the chance to ‘win the trust of the audience back’ – but he shouldn’t expect a primetime return.
‘There are a lot of comparisons here with Noel Edmonds. If you think back, he returned with such an incredibly successful format in Deal or No Deal, which he made his own and turned that afternoon slot into something quite extraordinary. It provided the ground for shows like Pointless', he said.
‘His big task is to persuade TV bosses that the audiences are going to go with him. If he can do that, he'll be back, because talent like his is hard to make.
‘He's got to overcome that and bring the trust of the audience back. Do something about the perception of his ego and become likable again, and find a really winning new format. There's plenty out there, whatever time of the day. It doesn't need to be primetime’.
Mr Borkowski also believes that Schofield has been savvy in the way he has brought his eldest daughter Molly in to do his PR.
‘What's important about her is that she understands his pain and she's likely to go on that journey with a real passion for him’, he said.
‘She's understands exactly what's going on and understands the way television works having lived it with her father. So you never know, she might be developing into a significant talent herself’.
It is now just over a year since Schofield's epic fall from grace, when, after years of lying about his long-term romance with a much younger This Morning colleague.
Schofield admitted to a relationship with a much younger male colleague (pictured centre) and having lied about it to bosses - as well as his loved ones
Mr Schofield is captured walking his puppy in the rain in May. He has remained off TV screens since he admitted to his relationship a year ago
Insiders told the Mail's Katie Hind that the past year has done nothing to dampen Schofield's self-belief.
He remains furious and still sees himself as the victim of the saga.
'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,' a source said recently.
Schofield 'thinks he was the fall guy. He can't work out why he was the one who had to go from This Morning last May', the insider added.
Schofield 'thinks he was the fall guy. He can't work out why he was the one who ha red to go from This Morning last May', the insider added.
The star-struck young man at the heart of the scandal, who first met Schofield when he was just 15, during a visit to his theatre school in the North West of England, is said to be struggling.
Struggling in particular to come to terms with the relationship and how infamous it became — especially across social media.
After leaving ITV with a pay out, insiders say he went abroad.
There was a stint at another terrestrial broadcaster before life in the industry became too much and he left to work in a pub.
For Schofield, gone are the many industry friends who had once so enjoyed being in his orbit.
Instead, there are dog walks, evenings in front of the TV with his daughters Molly and Ruby and visits to Cornwall to see his elderly mother, Pat.
He's been very open about the fact that he's been undergoing therapy. A visit to his local pub is seen as a 'treat' these days.
His wife Stephanie Lowe, who had their 31st wedding anniversary, remains absolutely loyal to him.
They have matching dogs.
They split up four years ago after Schofield publicly announced he was gay.
Yet the couple remain married and Stephanie has stood by the fallen star in a remarkable show of devotion despite the devastating betrayal which would lead to her husband's downfall.
Phillip Schofield pictured with his wife Stephanie Lowe carrying puppies on his birthday over Easter
They split up four years ago after Schofield publicly announced he was gay. They are not divorced
Just 13 months ago Schofield was riding high as one of Britain's highest profile TV celebrities earning £730,000-a-year for fronting This Morning alongside Holly Willoughby and worth a reputed £10 million.
In a well-publicised fall from grace, Schofield's world fell apart overnight when he dramatically stood down from the popular daytime show after 21 years.
In an emotional TV interview Schofield admitted he had made 'a grave error' which had led to the end of his career.
He told the BBC: 'I have to talk about television in the past tense, which breaks my heart. I have lost everything.
'What am I going to do with my days? I see nothing ahead of me but blackness, and sadness, and regret, and remorse, and guilt. I did something very wrong, and then I lied about it consistently.'
For Schofield it was the heartache he put Steph, 60, and their daughters Molly, 30, and Ruby, 27, through which seemed hardest to explain.
He said: 'I had a wonderful marriage, have a wonderful marriage, although it's not brilliant right now, with an incredibly supportive wife and two wonderful children.'
Significantly, Schofield, continued to wear his wedding ring during the interview while confirming he and Stephanie 'are separated but we are very much together.'
Describing the moment he confessed the affair to his wife he said: 'Let's just say it was an incredibly difficult conversation. The most difficult conversation I've ever had to have with her, and she is extremely disappointed because I lied to her as well.'
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby hug as he came out as gay on This Morning
Three years earlier, in February 2020, Schofield praised his 'remarkable' wife after he announced his sexuality live from the This Morning sofa.
He admitted after the revelation, that he knew he was gay when he tied the knot with Stephanie.
But he told how he had been leading the 'perfect life' as a married family man and said he hadn't wanted anything to get in the way of their happiness.
Schofield said: 'Whatever was ''there'' I thought, ''OK, whatever this is, you stay back because I am happy'.'
He added of his wife: 'Steph is my closest confidante. She's been amazing. I have no secrets from Steph'.
Schofield said he knew he had caused his wife great pain saying: 'That is what makes this so hard. Knowing you are hurting the perfect person but I still love Steph as much as when we first met. More, probably.'
He added in an Instagram post: 'Steph has been incredible - I love her so very much'.
