Phillip Schofield rushes to hospital as mother who helped him through ‘darkest moments’ falls seriously ill

Phillip left London for Cornwall and was snapped being consoled by his mother on a bench during a walk in the countryside.

However, Pat was reportedly admitted to a hospital in the South West and has been treated for an unknown condition for several days.

A TV insider told The Sun: “Given that his mother was the woman Phillip turned to in his hour of need, her illness is a particularly cruel twist of fate.

“He adores his mother and the whole family is trying to remain hopeful and keep faith that Pat will make a full recovery.”

Schofield left This Morning on May 20 and was spotted in Newquay with his mother less than a week later.

He was subsequently dropped by ITV and the broadcaster later launched an external review into its own handling of the debacle.

The unnamed former runner will be quizzed by independent barrister Jane Mulcahy KC during the probe.

A source told The Daily Mail: “ITV have kept in touch with the man and there will be a very thorough investigation, where many people close to the situation will be asked questions.

“It will be his chance to have his say. It could most definitely lead to some difficult reading for ITV’s bosses.”

Schofield admitted to having an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger member of staff while he was married to Stephanie Lowe.

The scandal emerged after the 61-year-old’s on-screen relationship with This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby started to fall apart.

Willoughby, 42, returned to ITV’s flagship daytime show earlier this month.

She also managed to put the scandal behind her after she was spotted at Glastonbury music festival.

ITV bosses are still searching for Schofield's permanent replacement.

However, Willoughby has already been joined by several stand-in co-hosts on the This Morning sofa.

Josie Gibson, Dermot O’Leary and Craig Doyle have all appeared alongside the mother-of-three.