Phillip Schofield spotted walking his puppy just hours after surprise return to social media
PHILLIP Schofield was spotted walking his beloved dog Alfie just hours after returning to social media.
The shamed This Morning host posted the pup on Instagram earlier today, in his first post in months following his hasty exit from the daytime programme.
Heading on a stroll, Phillip’s chocolate cockapoo seemed like a playful troublemaker, at one point wrapping around his owner’s legs causing them both to get tangled in the leash.
The sprightly dog was later seen looking lovingly up at Phillip, while also sniffing around the West London pathway.
Phillip wore grey jeans and a light grey sweater, and seemed in good spirits as he soaked up the sun.
The ex Dancing On Ice and This Morning star returned to social media for the first time in a year, showing Alfie watching Formula 1 on TV.
He captioned the post, “Thankfully, Alfie is a big @f1 fan.” but turned off the comments.
Phillip bought Alfie in February this year, with his wife Stephanie also buying another of the litter from the same breeder.
The pair, who have remained married despite Phillip coming out as gay in 2020, have been together for 31 years.
Stephanie and Phillip have been seen enjoying walks around the park with their dogs together, with the energetic breeds often finding comfort in the company.
Phillip, 62, has appeared to be on the comeback trail in recent weeks after being seen laughing and joking with ITV royalty Declan Donnelly on a night out.
He made an unceremonious exit from his presenting duties, and ended his longtime working partnership with Holly Willoughby, after it emerged Phillip had dated a much younger member of This Morning staff in May last year.
In an interview that followed shortly afterwards, Phillip described the relationship with the 19-year-old as “unwise but not illegal”.
Phil left the limelight following his only interview after the scandal.
In the aftermath of the revelations which effectively halted his career, Phillip has been supported by his daughters Molly, 30, and Ruby, 27, as well as Stephanie.
Friends have been pushing for Phil to return to the spotlight, restarting the career that saw him become one of the country’s most recognisable stars.
A source said: “Since he left This Morning, Phil has been held up by the support of friends like Ant, Dec, and Alison Hammond.
Is Declan's public show of support the first sign Phil is considering a comeback?
By Clemmie Moodie, Assistant Editor
IT’S almost a year since Phillip Schofield’s world imploded.
He “quit” ITV, concerned the headlines surrounding him were detracting from his 21-year tenure on This Morning, the show he loved like no other.
Except, of course, he didn’t quit — he was unceremoniously axed by his paymasters at ITV.
The intervening months have told Phil all he needed to know about showbiz.
Some people, those he thought were mates for life, dropped him quicker than you can say “Gordon the Gopher”. (I know who they are but he’d metaphorically kill me for printing).
Others, such as like Declan Donnelly, Alison Hammond, Richard Madeley, James Corden, and Jeremy Clarkson, have all stayed in touch, offering support.
Showbusiness is a fickle beast; many of the people in it faker than Holly Willoughby’s Dancing on Ice tan.
Is this public show of support from Dec the first sign that Phil could be considering a gentle foray back into public life?
Phillip remains a shell of the man I first met for lunch four years ago.
Where he was once confident, assured, seemingly untouchable — and sure, he rubbed some people up the wrong way — today he is shy, frustrated, nervous to leave the house.
But a year is a long time in television.
Things happen, people change, events move on.
I’m told his name has been mooted for a couple of national radio shows — perhaps an ideal toe-in-the-water return for the star, once the golden boy of daytime telly.
Perhaps now, with his mates by his side, he can go back to living.
“They have all been rallying around him and their support, especially from Dec who is such a good friend, has really helped Phil.
“Some TV executives have been in touch with Phil about a possible return and his friends have told him he should consider it.
“Phil is still shell-shocked by everything that happened last year and is happy at the moment to focus on rebuilding his life with the support of his friends and family.
“Whether he will make a comeback — whether it’s on TV or radio — is still undecided but the offers are there if he wants to pursue them.
“His friends have told him they will support him all the way.”