Phillip Schofield is said to be the “front runner” to appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity.
The jungle reality TV show has not confirmed any celebrity campmates just yet, but Schofield has now been thrown into the ring as a potential contestant. ITV bosses have not commented on the speculation.
Should Phillip, 62, decide to head into the jungle, it would be the first time he has been seen on television since he quit This Morning in May of 2023. It came after allegations came to light that Schofield had been having a relationship with a much younger colleague on the show – a statement he confirmed.
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Following the revelation, Phillip left ITV altogether – initially quitting the show due to intense speculation of a fallout with then-co-host Holly Willoughby. Since leaving the show and the broadcaster, Phillip has gone off-grid, keeping himself to himself and looking after his ailing mother.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
As well as this, he left all his previous hosting gigs at ITV, including Dancing on Ice – that he co-hosted with Holly; he was eventually replaced with Stephen Mulhern. But in recent months, the disgraced former TV stat has been looking for a way to come back into the public eye, which may potentially mean a stint Down Under.
Schofield has been able to keep his relationships with I’m A Celeb hosts Ant and Dec tight, despite the ongoing scandals the presenter was facing. Speaking to the Mirror, a source close to Phillip has said he would be open to having some time in the jungle.
(Image: ITV)
It comes after Declan Donnelly, 48, was papped walking with Schofield after the pair were seen laughing together, only adding to the speculation. Bookmakers are also looking into the possibility of Phillip saving his reputation by going on the show – with the betting odds placing a Schofield jungle stint at 4/1.
Speaking to the newspaper, Sportscasting.com spokesperson Andy Newton said: “Phillip Schofield, who left ITV under a cloud just over a year ago, looks ready to make a TV comeback – if his recent public sightings are anything to go by. It seems Schofield has been testing the water by stepping out of hibernation to gauge people’s reactions and with a string of celebs getting behind the former This Morning presenter – this will give him the confidence he needs to make a return.”
(Image: WireImage)
He added: “An easy route back to getting plenty of airtime is via one of the popular reality shows and with Schofield recently snapped laughing and joking with I’m A Celebrity’s Declan Donnelly. The 4/1 on offer on a TV comeback in the jungle doesn’t look the worst shout in the world.”
After keeping himself under the radar, the former Cube presenter has been ebbing his way back onto social media, offering updates on his much-loved pooch. Phillip continues to keep comments turned off on his posts, but was able to amass thousands of likes from followers who stayed with him despite the “unwise but not illegal” debacle.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
