Phillip Schofield Explained

Phillip Schofield
Birth Name:Phillip Bryan Schofield
Birth Date:1 April 1962
Birth Place:Oldham, England
Occupation:Television presenter
Years Active:1982–2023
Employer:ITV (1993–2023)
BBC (1985–1993, 2001–2006)
Television:Going Live!
This Morning
Dancing on Ice
The Cube
Children:2

Phillip Bryan Schofield (; born 1 April 1962)[1] is an English former television presenter, known for presenting a wide range of high-profile programmes for the BBC and ITV from 1982 to 2023; presenting BBC programmes from 1985 to 1993 and 2001 to 2006 and ITV programmes from 1993 to 2023.

Born in Oldham and raised in Newquay, Schofield became the first in-vision continuity presenter for Children's BBC (CBBC) on weekdays for two years from 1985 in The Broom Cupboard, accompanied by Gordon the Gopher, whom Schofield worked with on several other projects including a CBBC series. He left in 1987 to present Going Live! on Saturday mornings between 1987 and 1993, also hosting the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party between 1988 and 1991. From 2002 to 2023, Schofield presented This Morning, where he was accompanied by several co-hosts including Fern Britton and Holly Willoughby. His other television work included Dancing on Ice', All Star Mr & Mrs and The Cube. Besides television, Schofield performed in the musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Doctor Dolittle, hosted The British Soap Awards from 2006 to 2022, and did numerous adverts for We Buy Any Car.

In February 2020, Schofield came out as gay and separated from his wife of 27 years. In May 2023, he admitted that before leaving his wife he had carried on an extramarital affair with a much younger male ITV co-worker and had lied about it to ITV's management, his work colleagues, his lawyers, his agents and his friends and family. He had first met the co-worker while giving a talk at the drama school where the latter was then a 15-year-old student. Schofield later arranged a job interview for the co-worker at This Morning, where he was hired as a production assistant. Schofield stated that the affair had begun when the co-worker was 20 years old, at which point Schofield was in his mid-50s. Amid extensive media coverage, Schofield resigned from ITV, was removed as an ambassador for the Prince's Trust, and was dropped by the talent agency that had represented him for over 35 years. Following his resignation, he gave separate interviews to the BBC and The Sun, in which he denied grooming the man. Although he acknowledged the age difference, Schofield said he believed homophobia was a factor in the media coverage, suggesting that an affair with a woman would not have created such a scandal.

Early life

Phillip Schofield was born on 1 April 1962 in Oldham, but moved to Newquay, Cornwall at the age of eighteen months. His father Brian worked on Pargolla Road with Bilbo, a company which made the first surfboards in the UK, and passed away in 2008, while his mother Pam is retired.[2] He has a younger brother, Timothy Schofield, who in April 2023 was found guilty of sexual offences against a teenage boy.[3] It was revealed during the trial that Timothy had told Phillip some details of the offences in September 2021; Phillip did not report this to the police but suggested that his brother seek help from a doctor.[4]

Schofield attended Trenance Infant School and Newquay Tretherras School.[5] His first job was working at a local ice-cream kiosk. Schofield often attended the Radio 1 Roadshow, which he described as "an unforgettable event when it came to town." When he was 15, Schofield's first foray into media was a Sunday show on Hospital Radio Plymouth.[6] Despite moving so young, he says he is proud of his Lancashire roots (Oldham being in the county of Lancashire until 1974). After many years of writing letters to the BBC, at 17, Schofield took up the position of bookings clerk and tea boy for BBC Radio at Broadcasting House in London, where he was, at the time, the youngest employee.

Television career

1985–1993, 2001–2006: BBC presenting

Aged 19, Schofield moved with his family to New Zealand, where he made his television debut as the initial presenter of the youth music programme Shazam! on 23 February 1982.[7] He also spent two years working for the Auckland-based radio station Radio Hauraki.

In 1985, he returned to Britain, where he became the first in-vision continuity presenter for Children's BBC (CBBC) on weekdays for two years from September 1985 in The Broom Cupboard, the former studio presentation for the BBC Children's services. which introduced his friend and colleague Gordon the Gopher.[8] [9] Schofield left The Broom Cupboard in 1987, with Andy Crane succeeding him in the role. He then presented Going Live! on Saturday mornings between September 1987 and April 1993.[10] From 1988 to 1991, he was the host of the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, a pop-magazine awards show. In the early 1990s, Schofield moved to adult-orientated television with various programmes for ITV, such as Schofield's Quest, Schofield's TV Gold and Ten Ball. From 1994 to 1997, he presented Talking Telephone Numbers for five series and in 1996 he hosted a show about remarkable coincidences called One in a Million. He co-authored the book that came out of the series.

In 1991, Schofield hosted a series named after Gordon which was shown on CBBC on BBC One and BBC Two and ran from 3 January 1991 to 28 March 1991 only lasting a series of 13 episodes. The series was shown twice on BBC One, the first time being in January to March 1991 and again from 26 October to 21 December 1992 continuing where BBC Two left off at lunchtime repeats in Summer 1991, BBC Two have also repeated the series at lunchtimes four times from 18 June to 23 July 1991, 20 September to 6 December 1993, 9 March to 1 June 1994, The Christmas season of 1994 from 22 and 23 December 1994 and 17 January 1995 to 28 March 1995. It has not been repeated since 28 March 1995 on the BBC.

In the following decade, Schofield presented the National Lottery Winning Lines programme for BBC One between June 2001 and October 2004. And between 2002 and 2006, he co-hosted the BBC quiz show Test the Nation with Anne Robinson. In July 2006, he signed an exclusive two-year contract with ITV, reported to have been worth £5 million. The exclusive deal also meant he could no longer present Test the Nation and was replaced by Danny Wallace.[11]

1993–2023: ITV presenting

In August 2002, Schofield became a presenter on the ITV daytime show This Morning, joining John Leslie and Fern Britton on Fridays.[12] In October of that year, Leslie stepped aside from the programme after allegations about his personal life, and Schofield replaced him as Britton's co-host, first on a temporary and then a permanent basis.[13] [14] In May 2008, Schofield's father died from a long-standing heart condition, after which Schofield took a break from presenting This Morning. John Barrowman stood in for him until his return. In 2009, Holly Willoughby replaced Britton as Schofield's co-host. Schofield and Willoughby had a close friendship, with Schofield describing her as "the sister he never had", and they presented the programme together from Monday to Thursday mornings until Schofield's departure in May 2023 and Willougby's departure four months later in October 2023.

During his 2005 Room 101 appearance, Schofield made an attempt to place Gordon in Room 101 (i.e., consign him to the past), but in an audience vote Gordon was spared. Gordon also made a brief appearance with Schofield during a 1980s-themed edition of Dancing on Ice in February 2009. He also made a brief appearance on 5 February 2012 edition. Gordon appeared on This Morning on 13 September 2010 to celebrate Schofield's 25th anniversary of first presenting CBBC. Schofield said "I miss him".[15] [16] Starting in 2005, Schofield presented two series of Have I Been Here Before?, a daytime programme in which a celebrity attempted to use regression to get in touch with a previous life.

From 2006 to 2023, he presented The British Soap Awards. Between 2006 and 2008, he hosted the programme with Britton. During the run of the ITV reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, he co-hosted the spin-off series I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here! Exclusive with Sheree Murphy. The show lasted one series. In 2006, Schofield presented two episodes of the ITV game show It's Now or Never, before the network cancelled the show, due to poor ratings.[17] In April 2008, he and Britton began hosting a revival of the ITV game show Mr and Mrs, renamed as All Star Mr & Mrs. In 2010, the show took a break but returned in 2012 without Britton.

Schofield presented Dancing on Ice on ITV with Willoughby from 2006 until 2011 and Christine Bleakley from 2012 until 2014. It was announced in the summer of 2013 that Dancing on Ice was to come to an end following the 2014 series.[18] [19] Schofield returned to co-present the show with Willoughby in 2018 following ITV's choice to bring the series back after four years away. From 2009 until 2015, he presented the primetime game show The Cube, which offered contestants the chance to win a top prize of £250,000. Schofield returned to present the show in 2020 following ITV's choice to reboot the series after five years away, although it was later put on hiatus again in 2022. The only winner of the series was runner Mo Farah, who successfully completed the final game on an episode of a 2012 celebrity series in which British gold medallist athletes competed for charity.

Schofield hosted with Amanda Holden from 2009 until 2014. In 2010 and 2011, Schofield hosted the annual comedy show The Comedy Annual on ITV. From 2011 until 2015, He co-hosted the Christmas charity show Text Santa on ITV with Bleakley in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and Willoughby in 2012 and 2013.[20] In December 2014, he undertook a live 24-hour TV marathon to raise money for Text Santa,[21] [22] where, as well as appearing on This Morning, he appeared on various other programmes throughout the day, including being a guest panellist on Loose Women.

In March 2014, Schofield narrated the one-off ITV2 show Educating Joey Essex. The show was commissioned for a full series which was aired throughout 2014.[23] [24] The show was commissioned for a seven-part second series, filming began in April 2016, and the series aired in summer 2016 with the first episode titled "The Queen's 90th Birthday". He presented two series of the primetime game show You're Back in the Room for ITV in 2015 and 2016.[25] In 2018, Schofield and Willoughby made a cameo appearance on Coronation Street, when they interviewed Rosie Webster, Craig Tinker and Gemma Winter on This Morning after their role in a drugs bust at Underworld.

In 2016, Schofield travelled to South Africa with his wife Stephanie Lowe, as part of a series of short clips for This Morning. Following this, ITV aired three thirty-minute episodes in a primetime slot, called Schofield's South African Adventure. Since March 2017, he has presented 5 Gold Rings, a new game show format for ITV.[26] [27] In 2017, Schofield presented three-part factual series How To Spend It Well at Christmas with Phillip Schofield in which he tested the latest must-have festive gifts. The series concluded in 2022.[28]

From 2011 to 2022, Schofield was involved in several television programmes about the British royal family. In April 2011 and June 2012, Schofield co-hosted ITV's coverage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton's wedding and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee with Julie Etchingham, and in May 2018 they co-hosted ITV's coverage of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's wedding. In 2016, Schofield worked with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on the programme When Phillip Met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the youth awards programme. Following Prince Phillip's death in April 2021, Schofield co-hosted the ITV tribute programme Prince Philip, Fondly Remembered with Etchingham. During the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Schofield presented two programmes celebrating the occasion; first with Willoughby on This Morning at Windsor Castle and secondly the ITV programme The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration, co-hosted by Etchingham.

David Cameron interview

Amid the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal on 8 November 2012, Schofield interviewed then prime minister David Cameron on This Morning and presented him with a list he had obtained from the internet of five people named as paedophiles in connection with the North Wales child abuse scandal.[29] The names of several former senior Conservative politicians were visible on the list.[30] Cameron responded by warning against a witchhunt, "particularly about people who are gay".[31] Schofield was widely criticised for his action, with broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby describing his behaviour as "cretinous".[32] ITV's director of television, Peter Fincham, said that Schofield was "wrong" in confronting Cameron and the broadcaster had agreed to co-operate fully with government regulator Ofcom's investigation into the matter. The investigation was initiated after Ofcom received 415 complaints from viewers. Schofield later apologised, blaming a misjudged camera angle. Schofield and ITV later paid £125,000 compensation to settle a libel suit from one of those falsely accused, Alistair McAlpine, Baron McAlpine of West Green.[33]

Boris Johnson selfie

In December 2019, during the 2019 general election, Schofield and Willoughby were criticised for a "giggly" interview with then prime minister Boris Johnson.[34] The co-hosts' decision to take a selfie with Johnson was also criticised, and viewers raised a "lack of professionalism" and "clear bias". Schofield defended the stunt writing: "Can I point out that if Mr Corbyn had asked for a selfie, we would have happily obliged."[35] Viewers argued that the pair had been more critical when interviewing Jeremy Corbyn, who faced repeated calls to apologise for accusations of antisemitism in the Labour Party.[36] [37] Viewers noted that Islamophobia in the Conservative Party was not raised with Johnson. Ofcom received 149 complaints.[38]

Energy bills "spin to win" controversy

On 5 September 2022, This Morning included a new prize of "energy bills" in their regular "spin to win" game. The prize equated to four months of payments, up to £400 each month. When a contestant failed to provide the qualifying passcode on air This Morning ended the phone call, prompting Willoughby to say, "Well, we're not going to make Joyce's dreams come true." Schofield replied, "Well it's her fault." Schofield asked the first qualifying contestant if they were "worried" about energy bills and the contestant replied that "it's absolutely murder" having a prepayment meter.[39] The inclusion of bill payments was compared to Black Mirror or The Hunger Games.[40] Coverage from Sky News asked "Is Russia using Phillip Schofield for propaganda?" after the game was reported on Russian state television.[41] British politician Mary Kelly Foy tweeted:

I'm disgusted that @thismorning have used people being unable to afford their energy bills as some kind of twisted gameshow. The producers need to rethink this immediately! Everyone deserves dignity, especially if they're struggling.[42]
On 6 September 2022, Schofield referenced the controversy by saying, "I wonder how much of that they can complain about online."[43] Ofcom received 170 complaints about the segment and it prompted widespread criticism from viewers and commentators.[44] [45] Ofcom's broadcasting code states that: "We would strongly advise broadcasters not to present a monetary prize as a possible resolution of financial difficulty." On 7 September 2022, the prize was removed without comment from ITV.

Queuegate controversy

Amid the Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, Schofield and Willoughby drew criticism for not joining the Queue for the lying-in-state of Elizabeth II with the public, when filming at Queen Elizabeth II's lying-in-state in Westminster Hall on 17 September 2022.[46] ITV said that Schofield and Willougby were escorted from the press gallery by government staff and did not file past the Queen's coffin. Social media users contrasted this with the actions of former prime minister Theresa May and other celebrities including David Beckham, Susanna Reid and Tim Vine, all of whom queued for many hours with members of the general public. Online petitions were also organised calling for the pair to be sacked.

Toxic culture at This Morning

Schofield wrote in his memoir that in 2009, Britton accused him of meddling in the show and left because of this.[47] Since the departure of Schofield and the revelation of his extramarital affair with a much younger male ITV co-worker, several people involved in the show have alleged a toxic culture operated. Ruth Langsford made a complaint to ITV while she worked there.[48] Eamonn Holmes stated Schofield was "a narcissist and a bully at the centre of the toxicity."[49] Media personality and singer Kerry Katona described it as "fake" and her interview (as a guest) by Schofield and Willoughby "belittling".[50] Television personality and cleaner Kim Woodburn, who appeared on the show after leaving the Celebrity Big Brother house, branded Schofield and Willoughby "phoney" and "two-faced" on the show.[51] Dr Ranj Singh said in 2023 he had made an official complaint of a toxic culture and been managed out.[52] ITV confirmed an external adviser carried out an investigation in 2021.[53] Former Secretary of State for Culture Nadine Dorries questioned the culture and working practices of the show.[54] Questions over safeguarding and complaint handling by ITV were raised generally and on 14 June Carolyn McCall answered to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.[55] [56] [57] Loose Women panellist Carol McGiffin said This Morning was "tainted" and her colleagues did not like the show or Schofield's handover to them.[58] A former production staff member also criticised the working culture which led to her resignation.[59] Schofield,[60] Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary[61] all denied allegations of a toxic culture.[62]

Other ventures

Radio

While working as presenter of Going Live!, Schofield was also broadcasting on BBC Radio 1 with a Sunday show of the same name. When Radio 1 started to broadcast in FM stereo in 1988, Schofield was one of the presenters chosen to help with the launch.

In February 2010, Schofield launched Radio Plymouth in Devon.[63]

Theatre

Schofield first performed on the West End stage in 1991, taking over the role of Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from Jason Donovan. While appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Schofield was approached to record a cover of "Close Every Door" to be released as a single. The single was released in December 1992 on Polydor Records and peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart.[64]

The second musical he performed in was the title role of Doctor Dolittle at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1998, when he was surprised by Michael Aspel at the curtain call of the musical. In 2000, Schofield toured the UK with the show. He reprised his role as Joseph for an episode of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in March 2018.[65]

Adverts

Schofield did numerous adverts for the car buying service We Buy Any Car, and was also a brand ambassador for the company.[66] He was dropped by the company in October 2022 amid criticism for Schofield and Willougby not joining the Queue for the lying-in-state of Elizabeth II with the public, and all adverts featuring Schofield were later removed from the company's YouTube channel without explanation, although the revelations about Schofield's affair in May 2023 likely resulted in the decision.[67]

Book

Schofield released his autobiography, Life's What You Make It, on 15 October 2020. The book was issued by Penguin Books and was described as "his funny, uplifting, occasionally heartbreaking and always honest life story".[68] It received positive reviews from fellow presenters including Lorraine Kelly, Michael Ball, Zoe Ball, Andrea McLean, Steve Wright and Chris Moyles, and newspapers including the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail.[69]

Wine

Schofield collects Bordeaux wines, an interest kindled by Donovan. Asked in 1992 to introduce a compilation video for Donovan, Schofield refused to accept payment. He was sent two cases of Burgundy by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman with a set of tasting notes; Schofield joined the Wine Society two years later.[70]

In 2013, Schofield began writing for the Waitrose Weekend newspaper and became the face of wine in their UK stores.[71] In 2020, Waitrose began exclusively selling a range of Phillip Schofield–branded Italian boxed wines created by the wine company When in Rome. However, Waitrose ceased selling the Schofield wines in 2022 after negative reviews.[72] When in Rome stopped selling the wines on its own website after revelations emerged about Schofield's affair, saying "this collaboration has drawn to a natural conclusion".[73]

Personal life

Schofield holds dual British and New Zealand citizenship.[74] [75] In March 1993, he married his partner Stephanie Lowe, whom he met when he was 25 and working at Children's BBC (CBBC), where she was a production assistant.[76] The couple have two daughters, Molly, born in 1993, and Ruby, born in 1996.[77] On 7 February 2020, Schofield came out as gay via a statement posted on Instagram Stories. In a follow-up interview on This Morning, he stated that "with the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay".[78] [79] He stated he had thought he was bisexual at the time he married Lowe.[80] Schofield and Lowe separated, after which he moved out of the family home in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, and moved to Chiswick, London.[81] [82] As of June 2023, Schofield and Lowe are still legally married and he continues to wear his wedding ring.[83] [84]

Affair controversy

Following months of speculation about his private life,[85] and widespread reports of a feud with Willoughby,[86] Schofield presented This Morning for the last time on 18 May 2023, after more than 20 years in the role.[87] Two days later, he announced his departure from the programme with immediate effect, saying: "ITV has decided the current situation can't go on, and I want to do what I can to protect the show that I love."[88] In the first broadcast after his exit, Hammond and O'Leary praised Schofield as "one of the best live television broadcasters this country has ever had". A broadcasting executive subsequently told The Times that Willoughby had given ITV an ultimatum that either she or Schofield had to leave the programme.

In a statement to the Daily Mail on 26 May, Schofield admitted that, before leaving his wife in 2020, he had carried on an extramarital affair with a younger male ITV co-worker.[89] He had first met the co-worker while giving a talk at the drama school where the latter was then a 15-year-old student.[90] Schofield later arranged a job interview for the co-worker at This Morning, where he was hired as a production assistant.[91] [92] Schofield stated that the affair had begun when the co-worker was 20 years old, at which point Schofield was in his mid-50s, and admitted lying about it to ITV's management, his work colleagues, his lawyers, his agent and his friends and family.[93] [94] He resigned from ITV and apologised for his lies, while calling the relationship "consensual" and "unwise but not illegal."[95]

Reactions

ITV said it had investigated rumours of a relationship between Schofield and the co-worker in early 2020, but that both men had repeatedly denied the affair. News of Schofield's affair and departure from ITV received extensive coverage in the British media.[96] Elton John said that "If it was a straight guy in a fling with a young woman, it wouldn't even make the papers" while Jeremy Clarkson said "It seems to me he is only guilty of being what he said he was: gay."[97] [98] Piers Morgan also supported Schofield, saying it was time for the media to stop "relentless persecution" of Schofield.[99]

Following his resignation, he gave separate interviews to BBC's Amol Rajan and The Sun in June 2023, in which he apologised to the co-worker for bringing the "greatest misery into his totally innocent life." He denied grooming the man, and said that he had lied not to protect his own career but to preserve the co-worker's privacy.[100] He said that the two had never been in a "love affair" and were still friends. He said his career was over; said he had "lost everything" and felt "utterly broken", embarrassed and ashamed; and claimed that if not for his daughters Ruby and Molly guarding him, he would have attempted suicide.[101] Although he acknowledged the age difference, Schofield said he believed homophobia was a factor in the media coverage, suggesting that an affair with a woman would not have created such a scandal.[102]

Willoughby, who had previously said she was hurt that Schofield had lied to her when she asked about the rumours,[103] returned to This Morning on 5 June for the first time since his departure.[104] Stating that she felt "shaken, troubled and let down," she said that everyone at the programme had given "love and support to someone who was not telling the truth."[105] She expressed concern for Schofield's mental health, thanked viewers for their kindness and support, and said "what unites us all now is a desire to heal."[106]

Impact

Stating that it was "deeply disappointed by the admissions of deceit" made by Schofield, ITV severed ties with him,[107] and instructed a King's Counsel to carry out an external review of its handling of the incident.[108] [109] ITV confirmed that This Morning would continue without Schofield, and announced that Jane McDonald would replace him as host of The British Soap Awards.[110] The talent agency YMU dropped Schofield after representing him for 35 years,[111] [112] and the Prince's Trust announced that it would no longer feature him as an ambassador, saying it was "no longer appropriate to work together." When in Rome stopped selling the Phillip Schofield brand wines on its own website after revelations emerged about Schofield's affair, saying "this collaboration has drawn to a natural conclusion".[73]

As a result of the controversy, ITV in October 2023 began requiring all workers at the network – including staff, consultants, contractors, freelancers, apprentices, and individuals on work experience – to disclose all personal relationships with colleagues. The policy applies to co-workers in romantic or sexual relationships, but also to those who are friends or relatives, who live in the same household, or who share other close connections. Failure to comply with the policy can result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.[113] [114] [115]

In popular culture

The widespread reports of a feud with Schofield and Willoughby were referenced by Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden in the House of Commons (who deputised for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Prime Minister's Questions), who jokingly said that Labour leader Keir Starmer and his deputy leader Angela Rayner were "the Phil and Holly of British politics", alleging that Starmer and Rayner were "at each other's throats" off camera.[116]

Honours and awards

Schofield was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts (D.Arts) by the University of Plymouth in 2011 for his stage and television career.[117] [118]

Schofield was awarded several BAFTA awards, alongside Holly Willoughby, for hosting This Morning.[119]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1982–1985Shazam!Presenter6 series
1986–1991Take Two5 series
1987–1993Going Live!6 series
1988–1990The Movie Game3 series
1988–1991Smash Hits Poll Winners Party
1994–1996Schofield's Quest
1994–1997Talking Telephone Numbers4 series
1995Tenball1 series
1996One in a Million
1998This MorningGuest Co-presenterwith Caron Keating
2001–2004National Lottery Winning LinesPresenter4 series
2002–2006Test the NationCo-presenter17 episodes
2002–2023This MorningMonday–Thursday
2006I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Exclusive1 series
It's Now or NeverPresenter2 episodes
2006–2022The British Soap AwardsPresenterAnnually
2006–2014, 2018–2023Dancing on IceCo-presenter13 series
2008–2009Beat the StarGuest presenter2 episodes
2008–2010, 2012–2016All Star Mr & MrsPresenter8 series
2009–2014Co-presenter6 episodes
2009–2015, 2020–2021The CubePresenter10 series[120]
2010–2011The Comedy Annual2 episodes
2011The Royal Wedding of Prince William & Kate MiddletonCo-presenterAlongside Julie Etchingham
2011–2015Text Santa5 episodes
2012The Queen's Diamond JubileeAlongside Julie Etchingham
2014Phillip's Live 24 Hour TV Marathon for Text Santa[121] PresenterOne-off special
2014–2016Educating Joey EssexNarrator2 series
2015–2016You're Back in the RoomPresenter2 series
2016When Phillip Met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award[122] One-off episode
2017Schofield's South African AdventureThree-part documentary
2017–20205 Gold Rings4 series
2017–2023How To Spend It Well at Christmas with Phillip Schofield4 series
2018The Royal Wedding of Prince Harry & Meghan MarkleCo-presenterAlongside Julie Etchingham
How To Spend It Well: House and Garden with Phillip SchofieldPresenterOne-off special
Coronation StreetHimselfCameo
2020The British Soap Awards Celebrates 21 Years[123] NarratorOne-off special
2021Prince Philip, Fondly RememberedCo-presenterAlongside Julie Etchingham
Ted LassoHimselfCameo
2022The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration[124] Co-presenterAlongside Julie Etchingham
How To Spend It Well: Holiday with Phillip SchofieldPresenter

Stage

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992–1997Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatJoseph
1998–2001Doctor DolittleDoctor DolittleAt Hammersmith Apollo & toured across the UK
2016–2022Knights of Music[125] Himself/hostHeld annually

Bibliography

Fun File

Gordon the Gopher

Notes and References

  1. Book: Debrett's People of Today 2005. 2005. 18th. 1-870520-10-6. Debrett's. 1459.
  2. Web site: Phillip Schofield's childhood and life in Cornwall – Cornwall Live . 28 June 2024 . cornwalllive.com.
  3. Web site: 3 April 2023 . Timothy Schofield found guilty of sexually abusing boy . 30 May 2023 . BBC News . Schofield was convicted of three counts of causing a child to watch sexual activity, three of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, three of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two of sexual activity with a child..
  4. Web site: 29 March 2023 . Phillip Schofield's brother 'admitted sex acts with teen' to TV star . 30 May 2023 . BBC News.
  5. News: TV presenter at old school. https://archive.today/20140815180049/http://www.westbriton.co.uk/TV-presenter-old-school/story-11386514-detail/story.html. dead. 15 August 2014. The West Briton. 13 April 2011.
  6. Book: Schofield, Phillip . Life's what you make it : the autobiography . 2021 . 978-0-241-50119-1 . [London] . 1281614218.
  7. Web site: Shazam! series. NZ On Screen. 3 December 2012.
  8. News: The CBBC Broom Cupboard – 25 Years of live Children's BBC presentation . 12 June 2011 . BBC.
  9. Web site: The CBBC Broom Cupboard . BBC Archive . 11 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190430063658/http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/broom_cupboard/12330.shtml?page=3 . 30 April 2019 . dead .
  10. Web site: Phillip's Biography Page . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090123131204/http://www.officialphillipschofield.com/category/biography/ . 23 January 2009 . 3 February 2009 . Pfficialphillipschofield.com.
  11. News: Wilkes . Neil . 22 July 2006 . Schofield signs golden handcuffs ITV deal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604130940/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a35131/schofield-signs-golden-handcuffs-itv-deal/ . 4 June 2023 . Digital Spy.
  12. News: Wilkes . Neil . Schofield to join 'This Morning' . 5 March 2023 . Digital Spy . 14 August 2002.
  13. News: Deans . Jason . 18 December 2002 . Schofield signs up for This Morning . en-GB . The Guardian . 4 June 2023 . 0261-3077.
  14. News: Day . Julia . 25 October 2002 . Schofield plugs the gap on This Morning . en-GB . The Guardian . 4 June 2023 . 0261-3077.
  15. News: Schofield reunited with Gordon the Gopher . 12 June 2011 . UTV.
  16. News: Gordon The Gopher surprises Schof . 12 June 2011 . Belfast Telegraph.
  17. News: ITV swiftly axes primetime show . BBC News . 27 July 2006 . 23 January 2016.
  18. Web site: Jeffery . Morgan . ITV to replace 'Dancing on Ice' with "juggernaut entertainment series" . Digital Spy . 3 July 2013 . live . 10 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210210130404/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a495270/itv-to-replace-dancing-on-ice-with-juggernaut-entertainment-series/.
  19. Web site: Eames . Tom . 'Dancing on Ice' to air final series in 2014, confirms Torvill and Dean . Digital Spy . 21 May 2013 . live . 30 September 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200930153936/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a483164/dancing-on-ice-to-air-final-series-in-2014-confirms-torvill-and-dean/.
  20. Web site: ITV's star line-up for bigger and better Text Santa. Press Centre.
  21. Web site: 3 November 2014 . Phillip Schofield 24 hour live TV marathon for Text Santa . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141106010456/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/phillip-schofield-24-hour-live-tv-marathon-text-santa . 6 November 2014 . 23 January 2016 . ITV Press Centre.
  22. News: 2 December 2014 . Phillip Schofield completes 24-hour TV marathon . BBC News.
  23. Web site: Joey Essex ITV2 Africa series title revealed, Phillip Schofield to narrate . Tom . Eames . 25 February 2014 . Digital Spy . live . 28 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210728064543/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a553755/joey-essex-itv2-africa-series-title-revealed-phillip-schofield-to-narrate/.
  24. Web site: Phillip Schofield to narrate Educating Joey Essex which sees the reality star travelling to Africa . Carl . Greenwood . Daily Mirror . 26 February 2014.
  25. Web site: 21 August 2014 . You're Back In The Room . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140826175917/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/you%E2%80%99re-back-room . 26 August 2014 . 23 January 2016 . ITV Press Centre.
  26. Web site: Phillip Schofield to host brand new ITV quiz show 5 Gold Rings. Press Centre.
  27. Web site: Phillip Schofield lands another new ITV gameshow called 5 Gold Rings. Digital Spy. 11 January 2017. Mitchell. Bea. live. 14 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190214061549/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a818762/phillip-schofield-itv-gameshow-five-gold-rings/.
  28. Web site: ITV announces new consumer series – How To Spend It Well At Christmas [W/T]]. Press Centre.
  29. News: 9 November 2012 . Phillip Schofield 'paedophile list' move criticised by Cameron . 9 November 2012 . BBC News.
  30. News: Burrell . Ian . 8 November 2012 . Downing Street attacks Phillip Schofield for ambushing Prime Minister with internet-sourced list of suspected paedophiles . subscription . live . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/downing-street-attacks-phillip-schofield-for-ambushing-prime-minister-with-internetsourced-list-of-suspected-paedophiles-8297661.html . 26 May 2022 . 8 November 2012 . The Independent.
  31. Web site: Mulholland . Helene . 8 November 2012 . David Cameron warns against 'witch-hunt' amid paedophilia allegations . 2 June 2023 . The Guardian.
  32. News: Mason . Rowena . 8 November 2012 . Phillip Schofield reported to Ofcom over paedophile list . The Daily Telegraph.
  33. Web site: Gover . Dominic . 22 November 2012 . Lord McAlpine Wins £125,000 from ITV for Philip Schofield Child Sex Smears .
  34. Web site: Sansome . Jessica . 7 December 2019 . ITV's This Morning receives official complaints from outraged viewers over interview with Boris Johnson . 8 September 2022 . Manchester Evening News . en.
  35. Web site: Brewis . Harriet . 5 December 2019 . Schofield defends PM selfie saying 'we'd have done it with Corbyn' . 8 September 2022 . Evening Standard . en.
  36. Web site: Carter . Helen . 5 December 2019 . This Morning presenters slammed for 'selfie' with Boris Johnson . 8 September 2022 . Manchester Evening News . en.
  37. Web site: 5 December 2019 . Phillip Schofield Defends 'Shameful' Selfie With Boris Johnson . 8 September 2022 . HuffPost . en.
  38. Web site: Tabberer . Jamie . 6 December 2019 . This Morning's Boris Johnson interview racks up 150 Ofcom complaints . 8 September 2022 . Metro . en.
  39. Web site: 5 September 2022 . This Morning viewers alarmed by 'dystopian' Spin to Win energy bill prize . 8 September 2022 . The Independent . en.
  40. Web site: Dalziel . Magdalene . 5 September 2022 . This Morning viewers blast 'disgusting' viewer comp to win cost of energy bills . 8 September 2022 . Daily Record . en.
  41. Web site: 7 September 2022 . This Morning's 'dystopian' energy bills Spin to Win game gets 170 Ofcom complaints . 8 September 2022 . nationalworld.com . en.
  42. Web site: 5 September 2022 . This Morning criticised as 'dystopian' for offering viewers the chance to have their energy bills paid . 2022-09-08 . Yahoo! Sports . en-GB.
  43. Web site: Lawes . Ruth . 7 September 2022 . This Morning's 'tone-deaf' energy bills segment slammed with Ofcom complaints . 8 September 2022 . Metro . en.
  44. Web site: Tutton . Charlotte . 7 September 2022 . This Morning scraps 'tone-deaf' Spin to Win prize after backlash and host's jibe . 8 September 2022 . mirror . en.
  45. Web site: 7 September 2022 . Audience complaints . 8 September 2022 . Ofcom . en.
  46. Web site: 17 September 2022 . Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield criticised for 'jumping queue' to see Queen . 17 September 2022 . The Independent . en.
  47. News: 2 June 2023 . Everything we know about the Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby 'fall-out' . The Independent . en.
  48. News: Duke . Simon . 29 May 2023 . Ruth Langsford made Phillip Schofield complaint to ITV bosses . ChronicleLive . en.
  49. News: Chappell . Mario Ledwith, Peter . 2 June 2023 . Eamonn Holmes brands Phillip Schofield 'narcissist' after This Morning defence . en.
  50. News: 2 June 2023 . Kerry Katona brands This Morning 'fake' as she talks 'belittling' Schofield interview . The Independent . en.
  51. News: 20 May 2023 . Kim Woodburn hits out at Holly Willoughby over Phillip Schofield 'feud' . The Independent . en.
  52. News: Sheridan . Danielle . 28 May 2023 . Former This Morning doctor reveals 'toxic culture' on ITV show . The Telegraph.
  53. News: Cooney . Christy . 28 May 2023 . Ex-This Morning doctor Ranj Singh says culture on show became 'toxic' . The Guardian.
  54. News: Hyde . Marina . 30 May 2023 . MPs are right: This Morning is a hotbed of scandal. Thank goodness parliament isn't . The Guardian.
  55. News: Hope . Christopher . 30 May 2023 . ITV to face grilling by MPs over Phillip Schofield affair . The Telegraph.
  56. News: Moran . Caitlin . 2 June 2023 . ITV1 faces what we might call the Schofepocalypse . en.
  57. Web site: 1 June 2023 . ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall called to give evidence to Committee . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230603035937/https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/195488/itv-chief-executive-dame-carolyn-mccall-called-to-give-evidence-to-committee/ . 3 June 2023 . 5 June 2023 . Parliament of the United Kingdom . en.
  58. News: 2 June 2023 . Carol McGiffin says 'tainted' This Morning can't go on . Yahoo News.
  59. Web site: 2 June 2023 . I quit my TV executive job at ITV's This Morning in a feminist protest at the toxic, sexist culture I witnessed there . Glamour UK.
  60. News: Bryant . Miranda . 29 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield denies claims of 'toxic' culture on This Morning . The Guardian.
  61. News: 29 May 2023 . This Morning presenters defend show from "toxic" culture allegations . Digital Spy.
  62. News: 29 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield row: This Morning hosts defend show . BBC News.
  63. Web site: 28 February 2010 . Schofield launches Radio Plymouth – RadioToday . 22 November 2018 . radiotoday.co.uk.
  64. Web site: Chart Archive – Phillip Schofield – Close Every Door . 24 April 2012 . Official Charts Company.
  65. Web site: Roker . Sarah . 10 March 2018 . Phillip Schofield wows fans with his voice on Saturday Night Takeaway . 9 April 2022 . Digital Spy . en-GB.
  66. Web site: Phillip Schofield's 'replacement' as new We Buy Any Car advert is filmed – Liverpool Echo . 27 June 2024 . liverpoolecho.co.uk.
  67. Web site: 30 May 2023 . Used car firm WeBuyAnyCar.com removes all Phillip Schofield adverts from its YouTube channel . 27 June 2024 . Car Dealer Magazine . en.
  68. Book: Schofield, Phillip . Life's What You Make It . 24 June 2021 . en.
  69. Web site: Phillip Schofield warns not to 'judge others' ahead of tell-all autobiography – Mirror Online . 27 June 2024 . Daily Mirror.
  70. News: My wine cellar . Atkin . Tim . 21 April 2001 . The Guardian . 22 May 2010 . London.
  71. Phillip Schofield teams up with Waitrose . James Grant Management . 22 March 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20130725150330/http://www.jamesgrant.com/media/news/phillip-schofield-teams-up-with-waitrose/1085?cc-check=1& . 25 July 2013 .
  72. Web site: Houlton . Cara . 26 October 2022 . Waitrose drops Phillip Schofield wine brand as consumers label it 'undrinkable' . 4 June 2023 . en-US.
  73. Web site: Evison . James . 31 May 2023 . Wine firm says Schofield deal has 'drawn to a natural conclusion' . 4 June 2023 . The Drinks Business . en-GB.
  74. Web site: Ten Things You Never Knew About Phillip Schofield . . 30 May 2019 . 11 February 2009.
  75. Hi William, I owe NZ a lot! Haven't been for quite a while but I have dual citizenship . schofe . 993110477248057345 . Schofield . Phillip.
  76. Web site: Phillip Schofield shares rare family photo with daughters and wife . . 17 July 2019 . 15 July 2019.
  77. Web site: Wilson . Katie . 2 June 2023 . Phillip Schofield's rocky marriage that's endured gay revelation and affair fury . 6 June 2023 . Irish Mirror . en.
  78. News: Phillip Schofield: Support for ITV presenter after he comes out as gay . BBC News . 7 February 2020 . 7 February 2020.
  79. News: Phillip Schofield announces he is gay . 7 February 2020 . ITV News . en.
  80. News: Topping . Alexandra . Phillip Schofield: I suspected I was gay when I got married . 31 October 2020 . . 9 February 2020 . en.
  81. Web site: Phillip Schofield and wife Steph Lowe on great terms as they laugh together at Wimbledon Celebrity News Showbiz & TV Express.co.uk . 16 May 2023 . Daily Express.
  82. Web site: Kindon . Frances . Updated . 7 February 2023 . Phil Schofield 3 years post coming out – new pals, 'boyfriend' gag, divorce news . 15 April 2023 . mirror . en.
  83. Web site: Needham . Lucy . 2 June 2023 . Phil Schofield says he's still married and shares wife's furious reply to affair . 3 June 2023 . Irish Mirror . en.
  84. Web site: 24 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield addresses wedding ring questions following shock split from wife Stephanie . 6 June 2023 . HELLO! . en.
  85. News: 26 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield admits lying about relationship with younger ITV employee . 26 May 2023 . BBC News.
  86. Web site: 23 May 2023 . Holly Willoughby 'gave ultimatum' before Phillip Schofield's This Morning exit . 20 November 2023 . The Independent . en.
  87. News: Phillip Schofield leaves This Morning after more than 20 years . 20 May 2023 . Sky News.
  88. News: 20 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield leaves ITV's This Morning . 20 May 2023 . BBC News . en-GB.
  89. News: 29 May 2023 . ITV investigated 'rumours of relationship' between Phillip Schofield and young employee – but pair 'repeatedly denied' affair . 29 May 2023 . Sky News.
  90. News: 28 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield affair: This Morning to air as normal . 29 May 2023 . BBC News . en-GB.
  91. Web site: Quadri . Sami . 28 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield's lover 'was just 15 when they first met' . 29 May 2023 . Evening Standard . en.
  92. Web site: 28 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield's lover was '15 when they met' as ex-presenter 'helped young boy get a job at This Morning' . 28 May 2023 . LBC . en.
  93. News: O'Connor . Roisin . 28 May 2023 . This Morning employee 'was 15' when he met Phillip Schofield during school visit . 28 May 2023 . The Independent . en.
  94. Web site: 2 June 2023 . 5 biggest revelations from Phillip Schofield's interview about affair scandal . 4 June 2023 . The Independent . en.
  95. Web site: 30 May 2023 . Read Phillip Schofield's full statement addressing 'This Morning' scandal . 27 June 2024 . The Independent . en.
  96. Web site: 2 June 2023 . The media's absurd over-coverage of the Phillip Schofield affair is deeply depressing . 3 June 2023 . Reaction . en-GB.
  97. Web site: Phillip Schofield affair reaction was 'totally homophobic', says Sir Elton John . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240609135058/https://news.sky.com/story/phillip-schofield-affair-reaction-was-totally-homophobic-says-sir-elton-john-12905483 . 9 June 2024 . 9 June 2024 . Sky News . en.
  98. Web site: 'Baffled' Jeremy Clarkson hits out at Phillip Schofield 'witch hunt'. 5 June 2023. The Independent.
  99. Web site: 5 June 2023 . Piers Morgan says 'it's time to stop relentless persecution' of Phillip Schofield . 26 June 2024 . The Independent . en.
  100. News: Ferguson . Donna . 1 June 2023 . Phillip Schofield 'utterly broken' over affair with younger male colleague . 2 June 2023 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  101. News: Rayner . Gordon . 2 June 2023 . Phillip Schofield: 'Do you want me to die? Because that's where I am' . 3 June 2023 . The Telegraph . en-GB . 0307-1235.
  102. News: McIntosh . Steven . 2 June 2023 . Phillip Schofield says his career is over following affair . 2 June 2023 . BBC News.
  103. News: 27 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield: Holly Willoughby says she is hurt over affair lies . 28 May 2023 . BBC News.
  104. Web site: Holly Willoughby says she feels 'let down' as she returns to This Morning for first time since Schofield scandal . 5 June 2023 . Sky News.
  105. News: 5 June 2023 . Holly Willoughby returns to This Morning after Phillip Schofield's exit . 5 June 2023 . BBC News.
  106. Web site: 5 June 2023 . Holly Willoughby emotional as she addresses This Morning scandal – latest . 5 June 2023 . The Independent.
  107. Web site: 30 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield dropped as Prince's Trust ambassador . 30 May 2023 . BBC News.
  108. News: Waterson . Jim . 31 May 2023 . ITV instructs barrister to review facts around Phillip Schofield exit . 31 May 2023 . The Guardian.
  109. News: Birchall . Guy . 31 May 2023 . ITV announces external review over Phillip Schofield's departure from This Morning . 31 May 2023 . Sky News.
  110. Web site: 1 June 2023 . Jane McDonald replaces Phillip Schofield as British Soap Awards host . 1 June 2023 . BBC News.
  111. News: Wiseman . Andreas . 26 May 2023 . UK Presenter Phillip Schofield Dropped By Long-Term Agency YMU After 'This Morning' Exit; Presenter Admits "Unwise" Affair With Younger Colleague In Lengthy Mea Culpa . 26 May 2023 . Deadline Hollywood.
  112. News: Birchall . Guy . 26 May 2023 . Phillip Schofield admits affair with much younger man – and steps down from ITV . 26 May 2023 . Sky News . en.
  113. Web site: Phillip Schofield: ITV orders staff to disclose relationships with colleagues after presenter controversy . 13 November 2023 . Sky News . en.
  114. News: McGinty . William . Turvill . Stephen . 19 November 2023 . ITV tells staff to declare friendships or face sack after Schofield scandal . 19 November 2023 . . en . 0140-0460.
  115. News: Siddique . Haroon . 22 October 2023 . New ITV rules require staff to 'declare relationships with colleagues' . 19 November 2023 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  116. Web site: 17 May 2023 . Starmer and Rayner are 'the Phil and Holly of British politics', Dowden claims . 27 June 2024 . The Independent . en.
  117. News: Philip Schofield honoured by Plymouth University . 7 February 2020 . BBC News . 12 September 2011.
  118. Web site: University of Plymouth Honorary Doctorates . University of Plymouth . 9 December 2021 . en . 9 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211209103629/https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/about-us/about-us/honorary-doctorates . dead .
  119. Web site: 5 September 2018 . BAFTA honours ITV's 'This Morning' with Special Award . 28 June 2024 . bafta.org . en.
  120. News: The Cube is back with a one million pound jackpot . 15 July 2020. ITV Press Centre. 15 July 2020 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200805044010/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/cube-back-one-million-pound-jackpot . 5 August 2020 .
  121. Web site: Have you spotted you spotted The Scofe popping up all over ITV for #PipKnit?. 1 December 2015.
  122. Web site: When Phillip Met Prince Philip: 60 Years of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (w/t). Press Centre.
  123. News: The British Soap Awards 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. Metro. 31 March 2020. 31 March 2020. Lindsay. Duncan.
  124. Web site: ITV announce details for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebration. itv.com/presscentre. 9 May 2022.
  125. Web site: The Knights Of Music. Knights of Music.