It’s been nearly a year since the former This Morning presenter left our screens. Is he about to dish the dirt on his estranged friend?
EXCLUSIVE
They were the best of pals for years. Having hosted Dancing on Ice together since 2006 and This Morning together since 2009, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield developed a bond so strong that their families even holidayed together.
That all fell apart last year, when Phil’s ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a younger male This Morning colleague came to light. Holly said at the time, ‘When reports of this relationship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not. It’s been very hurtful to now find out that this was a lie.’
Now, a source tells Woman that Phil could be ready to tell his side of the story, arguably getting revenge on his once best friend after she turned her back on him. ‘Ultimately, Phillip has nothing to lose and feels the truth will set him free,’ our insider tells us. ‘He wants, if nothing else, to walk with his head held high, because people can now know the real truth and his story.’
It was first reported that Phillip was considering writing a tell-all about ITV and Holly in August last year. The source revealed, ‘Phil has had several approaches by book publishers about a new memoir, in which he talks about This Morning, Holly, and how his career at ITV imploded.’
And our source reveals that now the dust has settled, it could be the perfect time for Phil to take up one of these offers. ‘Phillip wasn’t able to go into too much detail while the enquiries and reviews were happening. He was in a legal position where he had to keep silent, but because of that silence, it perhaps came across as guilt.’ They add, ‘Even though he has been cleared of any legal wrongdoing, there’s the wider question of how ethical it all was and that’s hard to move away from. Many people still hang that cloud of doubt over him and that feels unfair when he hasn’t properly had his say.’
So is he ready to tell his side of the story? Our source points out that it might be his only option, considering his TV career could potentially be over for good.
‘Phillip is realistic – he isn’t going to be back on prime time any time soon,’ our insider says. ‘The market has changed, there are newer presenters coming up through the ranks, and channels are having to adapt.’ They add, ‘In his interviews, he’s acknowledged that and w
