Phillip Schofield is rumoured to be returning to TV after he quit This Morning last year following an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a young runner on the daytime show

Phillip Schofield has been flanked by a number of This Morning stars amid reports of a TV comeback.

The dad-of-two, 62, has kept a low profile since quitting the ITV programme last year before admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a young runner on the daytime show.

Telling the BBC in an interview his career was “finished” last year, many thought the Broom Cupboard star’s time in the spotlight was over. However, Phil has been tipped to return to his former hosting gig, with a PR expert telling the Mirror: “ITV needs Schofield a whole lot more than Schofield needs ITV.”

So, as we wait for news of what would be one of the most talked about comebacks in TV history, following Phil’s return to social media – and the presenter instructing his daughter, Molly, as his agent – here’s the This Morning stars who have supported Schofe…

Rochelle Humes thanked Phil for helping her with her career (Image: Instagram/ @rochellehumes)

Alison Hammond

This Morning star Alison appears to have thrown her support behind Phillip amid reports the TV star is tipped to return to his former hosting gig.

Following a year-long absence from social media following his bombshell admission about his affair, the former Dancing on Ice host returned to posting on his page last month, showing off pictures of his adorable dog Alfie.

On Sunday, the presenter shared another snap of his pooch from his living room, joking: “Not sure where rug ends and Alfie begins!!” Fans were quick to comment on his hilarious post, with one of his followers writing: “Where’s Wally?” Phillip also appeared to have gained the trust of Big Brother star, Alison, who liked his post.

Alice Beer

Phillip decided to limit the people who could comment on the post – and one happened to be regular This Morning contributor Alice Beer.

She showed her support for the presenter by replying to the post: “Funny! Stan cannot see anything on the tv. Just doesn’t register.”

Phillip replied to Alice, saying: “@thisisalicebeer I’d read that some dogs just don’t see it. He loves F1, Star Trek and Harry Potter (not keen on Mandrakes [laugh emoji]) oh and he’s partial to a bit of news, but not if it’s too sad.”

This morning host Craig Doyle also liked Phil’s post. The Irish presenter was one of the regular faces who stepped in to co-host This Morning with Holly in the wake of Phil’s exit.

However, Craig also gushed over the Wylde Moon guru when she was still on the show, telling the White Wine podcast of his tenure on This Morning: “I probably enjoyed it more than – well, I hadn’t really considered what it would be like but it’s great fun and it feels like proper old-school telly,” he said. “Do you know what I mean? And it’s a very welcoming, brilliant production team.”

Of his co-host, he continued: “I love Holly. Holly Willoughby is an absolute G.O.A.T. She’s a very lovely, lovely, human being, and people need to realise that. She’s unbelievable. One of the best I’ve ever worked with. Ever.”

Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson both liked Phil’s ‘comeback’ post on social media (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Josie Gibson

Like Alison, Alice and Craig, Big Brother star, Josie, also liked Phil’s pooch post on social media. With her down-to-earth charm, many thought the West Country wonder was a shoo in for the main presenting job on This Morning, when Holly left.

After Phil quit in May last year, Josie shared some ‘sage’ presenting advice he had shared with her, telling new! magazine the presenter once told her: “You don’t want to talk over your partner, otherwise it would be a mess. So, if you want to keep going with a question because you think you’re on a roll, or you want to say something, you’ve got to listen and you take little breaths. They are listening all the time. They make it look so streamlined, but you won’t notice it.”

Rochelle Humes

While other members of the This Morning team, including Holly and Dermot O’Leary were slammed for their ‘mediocre’ and ‘insincere’ words following Phillip’s departure, Rochelle made it her business to pay tribute to the seasoned host.

Taking to social media to pay a gushing tribute of her own, The Saturdays star shared three throwback photos of herself and Phillip presenting the ITV show together. Reminiscing over the fun times the pair had together, she gushed: “I’ve proudly been a part of the This Morning family for almost 10 years and over the last few, it has been an absolutely pleasure learning so much from you,” the TV star penned. Thanks for all the lessons – you’re a fountain of love knowledge and laughter.”