Phillip Schofield has taken a swipe at his former best friend and co-host Holly Willoughby, mocking her iconic This Morning ‘Are you OK?’ intro after his departure from the show.
Holly had asked viewers ‘Firstly, are you OK?’ following Schofield’s decision to leave the popular daytime programme. However, in his new Channel 5 show, Schofield made it clear that there’s no love lost between them.
While enjoying a barbecue with his wife and two daughters, he cheekily quipped: “If you’re okay, then we’re okay and I’m okay. Are you okay?”
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This appears to be a clear dig at his former on-screen partner, with whom he is no longer friends. And this wasn’t the only time in the opening episode where he seemed to take a jab at his old employers and potentially other hosts like Holly, reports the Mirror.
(Image: PA)
Chomping on a piece of fruit, he remarked: “It’s going through an angry bitter stage…like some television presenters haha.” Schofield described his exit from ITV as the “biggest grenade going off in your life”. His departure came after revelations surfaced that he had been concealing an affair with a younger male staff member on This Morning for several years.
He labelled the relationship as “unwise but not illegal” and resigned in May 2023. He left stating “This Morning itself has become the story” before severing ties with ITV entirely a week later.
(Image: ITV)
Schofield has expressed his deep admiration for his daughters, Ruby and Molly, crediting them as the reason he’s still here after battling suicidal thoughts. Despite his past affair, he maintains a close relationship with his wife Stephanie and continues to sport his wedding ring as he ventures off to a tropical island off Madagascar for Phillip Schofield: Cast Away.
His daughter Molly reveals that the family has grown “closer” through their shared experiences. She said: “We’ve seen him at his lowest times, but I’ve been so proud of him, and as a daughter to see the love that people had for him that when it’s taken away it’s just heartbreaking.”
(Image: PA)
She further added: “I never thought it would have gone the way it has but to have my parents still best friends…Im the luckiest person ever” Schofield, who continues to wear his wedding ring on the show, stated: “Some families can adapt, some families can’t. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I still have the love of my family. Never wavered.”
Viewers will also hear from Schofield’s wife Stephanie, who has remained friends with him throughout everything. Stephanie commented: “What people don’t realise if that they batter you but then there are other people affected.”
(Image: mollyschofe/Instagram)
She further added: “There’s no question by doing this you’re popping your head back up above the parapet for the very few horrid people that there are out there.”
The debut episode kicks off with Schofield being questioned about his decision to take on the daunting task of surviving on a deserted island alone, where he must forage for his own food. He candidly responds: “I think there’d be an awful lot of people that hope I never come back.”
Schofield also reflects on his time on This Morning, describing it as a “joy” and a “privilege”, and acknowledges the good fortune he’s had throughout his over 40-year television career, which came to a halt in 2023.
(Image: PA)
He further opens up about the experience of being suddenly let go, saying: “When it came to a sudden very abrupt end, you know one minute you’re there and then the next minute you’re gone, you know what it feels like to be cancelled.
“It’s like the biggest grenade going off in your life, and you know you let people down, you’ve let yourself down, and it was unwise and (an) unprofessional thing to do, I will be forever sorry, I screwed up, I made a mistake, and I hurt the people around me.”
- Phillip Schofield: Cast Away begins at 9pm on Monday on Channel 5, and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday at the same time
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
