PHILLIP Schofield seems to be on the comeback trail as he was seen laughing and joking with ITV’s hunky Declan Donnelly.
The pair were snapped together after a four-hour dinner at a restaurant near their homes – but the photos are likely to anger Phil’s former This Morning co-host, Holly Willoughby.
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Phillip Schofield pictured laughing and joking with ITV royalty Declan Donnelly Credit: Click News & Media
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Two pranksters laugh on the street in LondonCredit: Click News & Media
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The children were joined by his wife Ali Astall, while Phil brought along his pet dog Credits: Click News and Media
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This Morning’s ratings haven’t recovered from Holly and Phil’s slump Credit: Pixel8000
His night out with I’m A Celeb host Dec comes after Phil quit ITV last May over a “careless but not illegal” affair with a junior member of staff.
Friends have been pushing for Phil, 62, to return to the limelight, relaunching a career that has seen him become one of the country’s most recognizable stars.
However, those close to Phil say he still has reservations.
A source said: “Since leaving This Morning, Phil has been supported by friends like Ant, Dec and Alison Hammond.
“Everyone rallied around him and their support, especially from Dec who is such a good friend, really helped Phil.
“Some TV executives contacted Phil about a possible comeback and his friends told him he should think about it.
“Phil is still shocked by everything that happened last year and is happy at this time to focus on rebuilding his life with the support of his friends and family.
“It’s still undecided whether he’ll come back – either on TV or radio – but there are offers if he wants to take them up.
“His friends told him they would support him until the end.”
This week’s dinner in west London was the first time Phil and Dec, 48, have been seen out together since the This Morning scandal broke.
The children were joined by his wife Ali Astall, while Phil brought his pet with him.
This Morning’s ratings hit lowest level since Holly Willoughby announced she was following Philip Schofield out the door
Onlookers said the friends were in good spirits.
One added: “Phil and Dec were thick as thieves and clearly had a great night together.
“Phil said something to Dec that really tickled him and he laughed out loud.
“They looked like any other friends after a fun night out together. Phil seemed completely relaxed.”
Is Declan’s public display of support the first sign that Phil is considering a comeback?
By Clemmie Moodie, Associate Editor
IT’S almost a year since Phillip Schofield’s world came crashing down.
He “quit” ITV, worried that the headlines surrounding him were detracting from his 21-year stint with This Morning, a show he loved like no other.
Except, of course, he didn’t give up — he was unceremoniously kicked out by his paymasters at ITV.
The months that followed told Phil everything he needed to know about showbiz.
Some people, the ones he thought were lifelong friends, dropped him faster than you can say “Gordon Gopher.” (I know who they are, but would metaphorically kill me for printing).
Others, such as Declan Donnelly, Alison Hammond, Richard Madeley, James Corden and Jeremy Clarkson, have all stayed in touch, offering support.
Showbusiness is a fickle beast; many people in it more fake than Dancing on Ice Holly Willoughby tan.
Is this public show of support since December the first sign that Phil might be considering a gentle foray back into public life?
Phillip remains a shell of the man I first met at lunch four years ago.
Where once he was self-assured, self-assured, seemingly untouchable – and sure, he rubbed some people the wrong way – today he’s shy, frustrated, nervous to leave the house.
But a year is a long time on television.
Things happen, people change, events move on.
I’m told his name has been mentioned on several national radio shows — perhaps an ideal return for the star, once the golden boy of daytime television.
Maybe now, with his friends by his side, he can come back to life.
Phil left the limelight after his only post-scandal interview.
He told The Sun he regretted his affair and said he would “die of grief” for his actions.
In 2020, Phil divorced his wife of 27 years, Stephanie, after discovering that he was gay.
Since leaving This Morning, Phil has been supported by friends such as Ant, Dec and Alison Hammond
Source
Despite his admission of the affair, the couple – who have two grown-up daughters – remain close.
Friends say Stephanie supported him.
However, Phil’s relationship with Holly is over and scandal is rocking the ITV daytime show.
Phil added in his interview: “I lost my best friend. I failed her. I let that whole show down. I let the viewers down. Holly didn’t know [about the romance]. And that was one of the first messages I sent, to say, ‘I’m so, so sorry for lying to you.’
‘Toxic culture’
“She didn’t answer and I understand why she didn’t.”
Phil remained close to others at ITV, with Stephen Mulhern staying in touch with him along with a host of other big names.
Insiders said Phil is still close with a number of producers and crew members from the show.
After his departure last year, bosses launched an internal investigation into claims of a “toxic culture” at This Morning.
Their report states that of the 48 people who spoke to solicitor Jane Mulcahy, only one knew about the affair.
Phil and Dec were thieves and clearly had a great night together
Spectator
The review also found that ITV made “considerable efforts” to find out the truth about the relationship but “could not uncover the relevant evidence” until Phil spoke publicly about it.
In her report, Ms Mulcahy added: “I have no doubt that senior management is absolutely aware of the importance of an open culture.
“But this culture still doesn’t filter down to younger employees, many of whom remain convinced that speaking up will have a detrimental impact on their careers.”
Holly later resigned from This Morning following an alleged kidnapping plot against her.
In December, The Sun first revealed that Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd had been officially recruited to replace them.
However, ratings did not recover from the Holly and Phil showdown and dropped to around 650,000 per episode.
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Ant McPartlin, Declan Donnelly, Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby Credit: Rex
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