Phillip Schofield, 64, couldn’t stop laughing as he enjoyed a four-hour dinner in London with long-time friend Declan Donnelly, 50, on Friday evening. The intimate gathering also included Dec’s wife Ali Astall and Phillip’s pet dog, marking their first public outing together since the former This Morning host stepped down last year.
Almost a year after leaving the ITV daytime show following revelations about a past relationship with a much younger colleague, Phillip appeared relaxed and in good spirits. Friends have revealed that while he has reservations about returning to TV, ITV colleagues, including Alison Hammond and Ant and Dec, have been encouraging him to consider new opportunities
Insiders told The Sun that Phillip is being supported by friends and family as he rebuilds his life. “Phil is still shell-shocked by everything that happened, but he’s happy focusing on life outside showbiz. Whether he returns to TV or radio remains undecided, but the offers are there if he wants to pursue them,” a source said
The dinner comes amid speculation that Phillip may explore a comeback, potentially on national radio, his “first love.” Leading commercial stations are reportedly vying to bring him in, while major daytime TV spots remain under careful consideration. Despite a December report clearing ITV of a cover-up, insiders say it has opened the door to lucrative opportunities for the presenter in 2024
Onlookers described the pair laughing and joking like any ordinary night out. Phillip and Dec were officially replaced on This Morning by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley after a series of guest presenters rotated the daytime slot. Meanwhile, Phillip’s former co-host Holly Willoughby left the show in October following an alleged security scare 
Phillip’s career began in local radio in New Zealand before joining BBC Radio 1 and later hosting Going Live. Friends are encouraging him to pursue a “fulfilling life” even if television isn’t part of it, noting that commercial radio offers him a fresh avenue to connect with audiences. 
Although Phillip initially resigned after admitting to lying about the affair, ITV bosses and an independent review found no evidence of a cover-up. Only one junior employee had prior knowledge of the relationship, and Phillip’s former colleague declined to participate in the investigation. Sources noted that Phillip’s health and well-being were a key consideration in his decision to step back from the review process
Whether Phillip will make a full return to television remains uncertain, but friends say he has strong support and numerous potential avenues to reconnect with audiences. The dinner with Dec seems to signal that, at the very least, he is in high spirits and keeping the door open to future possibilities.
📎 Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
