Who will Phillip Schofield turn to now? TV veteran can count on support of wife and daughters

Phillip Schofield described This Morning co-presenter Holly Willoughby as his “absolute rock” last week. Today, he sensationally quit the show after sharing the couch with her for 13 years — he didn’t mention his close friend in his exit statement.

When reports emerged of a feud between the ITV stars earlier this month, Phil broke his silence to point out that they hadn’t broken up following a string of controversies, including Queuegate and his brother, Timothy, who were convicted of child offences.

Phil is gushing rack Unpleasant The sundescribing them as “the best of friends” and saying that the past few weeks hadn’t been easy for either of them was reportedly a complete surprise to Holly.

Sources told MailOnline that Holly wanted to pull the plug on their working relationship and that the pair’s “once super close friendship is no longer.”

With Phillip leaving ITV’s premier daytime TV show after 21 years, the TV veteran is likely to turn to his support network, which includes a close industry friend, his estranged wife and his daughters.

Simon Schofield – Actor friend

Amidst his feud with Holly, Phil would lean heavily on his good friend Simon Schofield for support.

Sources close to the veteran TV star told MailOnline that the couple, who are not related, have been in regular contact over the past few weeks as pressures mounted on his career.

In addition to calling in a lawyer and PR expert to deal with the crisis, singer and actor Simon has also been a rock for Phillip over the past two weeks.

A source said: “Philip needs as much support as he can get right now.

The fallout from his feud with Holly, plus the criticism from media figures elsewhere, is a lot to take in.

‘Luckily Simon was there to talk to him as much as possible.

“They’re old buddies who both know the industry inside out and appreciate how brutal it can be.”

Philip, 61, and Simon, 38, worked together during the early part of their careers and have kept in close contact ever since.

Indeed, three months after Philip came out in February 2020, the friends were mistaken for lovers when the former Going Live presenter posted a photo of them socially distanced dog walking during the pandemic.

He wrote, “First social distance walk with a partner. Thank you @sischofe.. the last person I had a drink with before the wheels fell off is the first one I saw as we try to reattach them.”

After one follower wondered if there was a deeper meaning to his use of the term “mate,” Phillip hit back, “Yeah! A friend! That’s what they still call family friends who you’ve known for 20 years and who come by to see if you’re okay.’

Stephanie Lowe – Estranged woman

Phil’s estranged wife, Stephanie Lowe, provided the TV star with “strength and support” after coming out as gay in 2020.

The This Morning star came out as gay nearly three years ago, after 27 years of marriage to Stephanie, 58, but they have not yet divorced.

The couple married on March 29, 1993 at Ackergill Tower and have remained friends since he came out in February 2020.

They share two daughters and when they separated in 2020, Phil moved from their childhood home in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire to Chiswick in London.

They are often pictured alongside their daughters in their twenties, Molly and Ruby, and Phil has previously said they remain “a loving family.”

Molly and Ruby – Daughters

Phil is very close with his two adult daughters, Molly, 29, and Ruby, 27.

When the presenter came out publicly, he revealed how his girls and their mother supported him to “come to terms” with the fact that he is gay.

“My family has kept me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion.”

He added, “My girls were amazing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort.”

Molly is a talent manager at Phil’s agency YMU Group and has helped manage her famous father over the years.

His eldest may have had a hand in how he’s navigated the tumultuous past few weeks, as he previously revealed he won’t be posting anything without her giving him permission.

Molly has 60,000 followers on her Instagram, where she shares snaps from her travels, as well as with her partner and sister Ruby.

Her younger sister also shares snippets of her charmed life with her 80,000 followers.

In 2017, Ruby graduated from Leeds Becket University, where she received a 2:1 in Psychology and a first for her dissertation.

She shared a celebratory Instagram with her proud father, mother and older sister on her college grounds as she posed in her cap and gown.

At school, she achieved A-levels in history, business and biology, while also excelling in lacrosse at the £11,000-a-term boarding school. She also did an internship at ITV, no doubt with the help of her loving father.

Discussing his children’s thoughts on his social media presence with Hello! last year Phil said, “I don’t post anything without their permission. I will contact them, is this ok? But they’re fine with it. My eldest daughter is my manager, so she can handle it all.’

Full statement from Phillip Schofield

‘I’ve always been proud to write fascinating stories on This Morning. But recently, This Morning itself has become the story.

“During my career in TV – including the very difficult past few days – I have always tried my best to be honorable and kind.

“I understand that ITV has decided that the current situation cannot continue and I want to do what I can to protect the show I love.

So I’ve agreed to step down from This Morning effective immediately, in hopes that the show has a bright future.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me – especially the wonderful viewers of This Morning – and I’ll see you all next month at the Soap Awards.”

Holly Willoughby’s full statement

“It has been over 13 amazing years presenting This Morning with Phil and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his knowledge, his experience and his humour. The bank won’t feel the same without him.’