Craig Doyle Opens Up About Phillip Schofield and This Morning: A New Chapter Begins

This Morning’s Craig Doyle has revealed that he no longer keeps in touch with Phillip Schofield following the latter’s shocking departure from the ITV show last year.

Phillip Schofield, the former host, 61, is gearing up for a major TV comeback this year after his dramatic exit from the entertainment scene in 2023. Schofield left the limelight after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair and falling out with his long-time co-host Holly Willoughby. Recently, he’s been seen out and about with Declan Donnelly and has cautiously returned to social media, sharing sporadic posts about his new puppy, Alfie.

Craig Doyle, who joined This Morning in 2022, became a regular presenter alongside Holly after Phillip’s unexpected exit. In a recent interview, Craig disclosed that he hasn’t spoken to Phillip since the fallout. “I spoke to Holly recently, and she’s in great form and about to go off on her travels somewhere,” Craig shared. “She had a really traumatic time, especially with that stalker incident, but she’s doing well and is happy.”

Talking to Woman magazine, Craig mentioned, “I haven’t spoken to Phil, just because our paths haven’t crossed, but I wish him well – I wish them all well.” Reflecting on his time working with Phillip, Craig said it felt like “sitting having a coffee with a friend.” He praised the camaraderie among the show’s team, stating, “All of them [on the show] have that vibe. People have their views on different individuals, but I found them all great.”

Phillip Schofield’s reputation took a significant hit last year when he confessed to an affair with a younger colleague, leading to his departure from This Morning. He admitted to lying to his family and bosses about the relationship and gave a tell-all interview with the BBC, where he revealed his daughter had saved his life. Feeling “broken and ashamed,” Phillip stepped away from the spotlight and spent time with his parents in Cornwall.

Despite the scandal, some colleagues, like Lorraine Kelly, have stood by him. She told The Sunday Times Magazine earlier this year, “I was heartbroken when all that happened. It’s just a shame for the amazing career that he’s had, for it to end like that.”

Crisis management expert Edward Coram James, CEO of Go Up, recently 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. His behaviour during and after the scandal is a textbook example of how to handle a PR disaster. It’s a feat that very few manage to pull off. But it’s given Schofield the opportunity for a second chance.”

Phillip reportedly reached out to Holly Willoughby after she became the target of a kidnap and murder plot. Sources say he was “horrified” by the news and that Holly was “really happy” to hear from him. “Phil’s decision to reach out, and the welcome it has been received with by Holly, shows that there is still a bond there,” a source told the Mirror. “The hope is they can regain some of the ground lost, and support each other again.”

As Phillip Schofield prepares for his return to television, the story of This Morning continues to unfold, with new dynamics and old friendships potentially being rekindled.

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