Phillip Schofield has ‘no path for comeback now’ amid ITV Dancing on Ice axe: ‘Reputation’s in a difficult place’
Phillip Schofield has “no path for a comeback” and will not likely be picked up by any broadcaster again after his scandalous exit from ITV’s This Morning, claims a PR expert.
The star left the morning talk show back in 2023 after more than two decades hosting alongside Ferne Britton and then Holly Willoughby.
Schofield was accused of having a relationship with a younger male colleague, something which he later claimed was an “unwise but not illegal” decision.
Despite his affair, the star is still on good terms with his wife Stephanie Lowe and has continued to have her full support alongside his daughters Ruby Schofield and Molly Schofield.
Following his exit from This Morning and with external and internal reviews taking place, the TV presenter was also embroiled in feud rumours with his co-host Willoughby.
The stat initially revealed that he had reached out to Willoughby when the news of his affair first came to light and told The Sun: “I WhatsApped her on the day I put out the statement.
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“I said that you don’t have to reply, you probably can’t, but I want to say I’m desperately, desperately sorry. I let her down. I let that entire show down. I let the viewers down.
“Holly did not know and she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say: ‘I am so, so sorry that I lied to you.’ She didn’t reply and I understand why she didn’t reply as well.
“So yeah, if anyone is in any way linking Holly to this, that is absolutely, wholly untrue.”
Willoughby took time off from her role on This Morning before returning and making a statement where she asked viewers if they were “ok?”.
The moment was later mocked by Schofield during his TV comeback on Channel 5’s Cast Away – where he was stranded on an island and opened up about his career breakdown.
Now, PR expert Riley Gardiner, has given his opinion on whether Schofield will ever appear on TV screen again and if so in what proximity.
Gardiner, founder of No Strings Public Relations, spoke to Entertainment Daily and explained a TV return is definitely not on the cards for Schofield.
He claimed the scandal surrounding Schofield’s exit was too severe to fix and 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.
“I definitely can’t see a return to ITV ever coming. 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.”
Touching on whether Schofield could make a comeback of any sort whether that be digital, podcasting or independent productions, Gardiner added: “It could provide a way to rebuild his image without the presence of prime-time television.
“There is also the possibility of international opportunities where the controversy hasn’t been as prominent.
“Without a significant shift in how audiences perceive him, his career in television appears to be over.”