TV RETURN? Phillip Schofield eyeing comeback as he jokes after 4-hour dinner with Declan Donnelly in pics which will anger Holly

PHILLIP Schofield appears to be on the comeback trail as he is seen laughing and joking with ITV royalty Declan Donnelly.

The pair were snapped together following a four-hour dinner at a restaurant near their homes — but the pictures are likely to infuriate Phil’s former This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby.

Phillip Schofield pictured laughing and joking with ITV royalty Declan DonnellyCredit: Click News and Media

The pair of jokers share a laugh on the street in LondonCredit: Click News and Media

Dec was joined by his wife Ali Astall while Phil took along his pet puppyCredit: Click News and Media

This Morning’s ratings have not recovered since the Holly and Phil falloutCredit: Pixel8000
His night out with I’m A Celeb presenter Dec comes after Phil stepped back from ITV last May over an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger member of staff.

Friends have been pushing for Phil, 62, to return to the spotlight, restarting the career that saw him become one of the country’s most recognisable stars.

However, those close to Phil say he still has reservations.

A source said: “Since he left This Morning, Phil has been held up by the support of friends like Ant, Dec and Alison Hammond.

“They have all been rallying around him and their support, especially from Dec who is such a good friend, has really helped Phil.

“Some TV executives have been in touch with Phil about a possible return and his friends have told him he should consider it.

“Phil is still shell-shocked by everything that happened last year and is happy at the moment to focus on rebuilding his life with the support of his friends and family.

“Whether he will make a comeback — whether it’s on TV or radio — is still undecided but the offers are there if he wants to pursue them.

“His friends have told him they will support him all the way.”

The dinner this week in West London was the first time Phil and Dec, 48, had been seen out together since the This Morning scandal broke.

Dec was joined by his wife Ali Astall while Phil took along his pet dog.

This Morning’s viewing figures have slumped to the lowest since Holly Willoughby announced she was following Philip Schofield out of the door
Onlookers said the pals were in high spirits.

One added: “Phil and Dec were as thick as thieves and had clearly had a great night together.

“Phil said something to Dec that really tickled him and he was laughing loudly.

“They looked like any other friends would after having a fun night out together. Phil seemed totally at ease.”

Phil left the limelight following his only interview after the scandal.

He told The Sun about his regret over his affair and said he would “die sorry” for his actions.

Phil separated from wife of 27 years Stephanie in 2020 after coming out as gay.

Since he left This Morning, Phil has been held up by the support of friends like Ant, Dec and Alison Hammond

Source

Despite his affair admission, the couple — who have two grown-up daughters — remain close.

Friends say Stephanie has been supportive of him.

However, Phil’s relationship with Holly is finished, with the scandal rocking the ITV daytime show.

Phil added in his interview: “I’ve lost my best friend. I let her down. I let that entire show down. I let the viewers down. Holly did not know [about the romance]. And she was one of the first texts that I sent, to say, ‘I am so, so sorry that I lied to you’.

‘Toxic culture’

“She didn’t reply and I understand why she didn’t reply, as well.”

Phil has remained close with others at ITV, with Stephen Mulhern remaining in contact with him alongside a raft of other big names.

Insiders said Phil was also still close with a number of producers and crew members from the show.

Following his exit last year, bosses conducted an internal investigation into claims of a “toxic culture” on This Morning.

Their report stated that of the 48 people who spoke to barrister Jane Mulcahy, only one knew of the affair.

Phil and Dec were as thick as thieves and had clearly had a great night together
Onlooker

The review also found that ITV made “considerable efforts” to find out the truth about the relationship but was “unable to uncover the relevant evidence” until Phil spoke about it publicly.

In her report, Ms Mulcahy added: “I have no doubt senior management are absolutely wedded to the importance of an open culture.

“But this culture is still not filtering down to junior employees, many of whom remain convinced that to speak out will have a detrimental impact on their careers.”

Holly later stepped down from This Morning following an alleged kidnap plot against her.

In December, The Sun was the first to reveal how Cat Deeley and Ben Shepherd had been officially drafted in to replace them.

However, ratings have not recovered since the Holly and Phil fallout and have dipped to around 650,000 per episode.