Phillip Schofield issues cryptic two-word message amid showbiz return rumours

As well as the affair, his relationship with long-term friend and co-presenter Holly Willoughby deteriorated, with both presenters leaving their partnership.

Whilst the dust has been settling around his TV career, Schofield has been making some subtle comebacks to social media, largely involving updates about his pup, Alfie.

In his recent Instagram story, Schofield showed off Alfie playing in a paddling pool and captioned the post "loving life," while pointing out it was 26 degrees at the time.

A second post saw a video of Alfie laying on the presenter's lap soaked in water, with the caption reading: "It's been a long day in his paddling pool."(sic)

Nothing has been put in place for his TV comeback, but the former The Cube presenter was recently photographed out and about with Geordie presenter Declan Donnelly, sparking rumours that his comeback could involve starring on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Schofield's quietness and discretion could have earned him a second chance at his career, as PR expert Edward Coram James told The Mirror: "It's hardly surprising that Schofield is now considering a comeback, and that producers and networks may be lining up to make him job offers.

"There are many ways that Schofield could have reacted that could have cemented his fate for the worse. Instead, his behaviour during and after the scandal is a textbook example of how people should act in the face of PR disaster.

"It's a feat that very few manage to pull off. But it's given Schofield the opportunity for a second chance."

His anticipated return comes just weeks after it was claimed Schofield felt "thrown under the bus" by ITV in regards to his exit.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, a source said Schofield believes he was "thrown under the bus," and added: "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."

In May 2023, Schofield stated: "I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.

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"Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship.

"That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over."