Phillip Schofield ‘held crisis talks with This Morning bosses over extending his break’
Phillip Schofield has reportedly been in crisis talks with This Morning bosses about his hiatus from the show. after his brother’s child molestation trial.
The TV presenter, 61, has been off the air for two weeks, while other presenters including Alison Hammond and Joel Dommett have taken his place alongside regular Holly Willoughby.
It was thought that while Phillip’s management would like him to return, ITV top executives wanted more time for the dust to settle after the trial.
A representative for This Morning has urged MailOnline that Phillip will return as scheduled on April 17.
Phillip initially took a break ahead of his brother Timothy’s trial for sexually assaulting a young boy. Timothy was found guilty last week and will be sentenced next month.
Break: Phillip Schofield reportedly had crisis talks with This Morning bosses about his hiatus from the show, following his brother’s child molestation trial (pictured on the show this month)
Downtime: The TV presenter, who usually presents This Morning with Holly Willoughby (pictured), has been off the air for two weeks as other hosts have taken his place
A source told it Mirror that Phillip’s management company wants him back on screen as soon as possible.
They said, “YMU’s view was the sooner Phillip got back the better.
“But ITV offered him the chance to have more free time. They thought an extended break would benefit him as he has been in trouble at certain points in recent weeks. They were also curious how the audience reacted to other presenters.
“ITV has a lot of talent and this was a good opportunity to test people. It is possible that there will be a shake-up in the future, and experiments like this are very useful.’
Phillip’s contract will be extended this year, but a source close to him told the publication he is “looking forward” to his return on April 17.
ITV told MailOnline: ‘This is not true. Phil returns from Easter break.
“We make no statements about speculation about artist contracts.”
MailOnline has reached out to a Phillip representative for further comment.
Sibling: Phillips brother Timothy Schofield (pictured) was convicted of 11 sex offenses involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019
Family: Phillip (right) initially took a break ahead of his brother Timothy (left)’s trial for sexually assaulting a young boy. Timothy was found guilty last week and will be sentenced next month (pictured in 2017)
Timothy, the brother of TV personality Phillip, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage boy.
Timothy has been convicted of 11 sex offenses involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two sexual activities with a child, following a trial at Exeter Crown Court.
Phillip’s brother cited “mental health issues” as the reason for his actions, while also accusing the victim of “exaggerating” what happened.
Avon and Somerset Police, where Timothy worked, said a misconduct hearing will be held “as soon as possible”. The IT worker was suspended in December 2021.
Detective Keith Smith said: ‘This defendant exploited and abused the victim by committing a sickening series of crimes over a considerable period of time.
“While the defendant does not work in a public capacity and the crimes are not related to his work, we know that the fact that he works for the police will be a matter of public interest.”
Timothy was found guilty on all counts, with the jury reaching a 10–2 majority after deliberating for more than five and a half hours.
Filling in: While Phillip took a break, This Morning regular guest Alison Hammond (left) appeared alongside Holly (pictured last month)
Helping out: Joel Dommett has also appeared as a stand-in host while Phillip was away from This Morning (pictured last month)
He was convicted of three counts of causing sexual activity by a child, three counts of sexual activity in the presence of a child, three counts of causing sexual activity by a child, and two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Closing the case, prosecutor Robin Shellard said, “We’re not dealing with morality, we’re dealing with criminal abuse of a child.”
He added: “There are good reasons why society – and we are all a part of this society here and the law that is based on society – doesn’t treat people under 18 and people under 16 as full grown adults .
“Society tries to protect children from adults who want to abuse them and tries to protect children from themselves.”
Referring to the defendant’s claims of ‘exaggeration’, Mr Shellard said: ‘The problem for Mr Schofield is how restrained the boy is in his accusations.
Following the trial, Timothy has been remanded in custody awaiting sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on May 19.
Phillip has distanced himself from his brother in the wake of the latter’s conviction, having also served as a witness in the recent trial.
In a statement from his lawyer after the conviction, Phillip Schofield said: ‘My overwhelming concern is and always has been for the well-being of the victim and his family. I hope their privacy is now respected.’
Crimes: Timothy has been convicted of 11 sex offenses involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two sexual activities with a child (Timothy left Exeter Crown Court last month)
He continued, “If my brother had ever confessed to me of a crime, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family. These are vile crimes and I welcome the convictions. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a brother anymore.’
Phillip has not appeared as a presenter on This Morning after taking time off to appear as a witness at his brother’s trial.
Holly and Phillip had already planned their usual two-week Easter break.
Phillip’s extended absence means he’ll miss at least three weeks’ worth of shows before returning to the air.