Life couldn’t have looked more different for former This Morning duo Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby over the weekend.
While Holly soaked up the sun in Portugal, enjoying a calm and wholesome getaway, Phillip was spotted having a much more lively evening in London alongside his friend Joshua Luke Sharman.
The 63-year-old TV veteran, who has kept a relatively low profile since his dramatic departure from daytime television, was seen supporting the 30-year-old London-based nurse as they left Arzner Bar & Café — the capital’s first LGBTQ+ dedicated cinema and café — in Bermondsey at around 7pm.
The pair appeared close, sharing cuddles and leaning into each other as they strolled out.
An Evening Out in London
Joshua, dressed in a blue polo shirt and shorts, seemed to need Phillip’s assistance as they walked down the street.
The evening clearly had a friendly and affectionate tone, with the two exchanging cosy embraces in public.
Joshua isn’t unfamiliar with celebrity circles — his social media features snaps with names like Sally Lindsay and Gok Wan.
In fact, he appears to share a good friendship with Gok, often pictured together online.
Holly’s Peaceful Escape
In stark contrast, Holly spent her weekend enjoying the serene beauty of Portugal.
Once upon a time, Phillip and Holly would holiday together with their families, but those days are now firmly in the past.
Their friendship, once one of the most visible in British television, crumbled after Phillip’s personal life became headline news in 2023.
The Scandal That Changed Everything
Phillip’s fall from grace began with the revelation of his relationship with a much younger male colleague from This Morning.
While the host insisted the relationship was consensual and began only after the man started working on the show, the fact that they first met when the man was a teenager sparked huge controversy.
In May 2023, Phillip issued a public statement admitting he had lied to his employers, colleagues, agents, the media, the public, and most painfully, to his family.
He described the relationship as “unwise but not illegal” and confirmed it had ended.
He also resigned from ITV with immediate effect, expressing regret for both the relationship and the deception.
Fallout With Holly
The scandal not only damaged Phillip’s marriage to Stephanie Lowe — who has chosen not to divorce him despite her devastation — but also destroyed his long-standing friendship with Holly.
Reports later claimed Holly felt betrayed, particularly after learning of further allegations surrounding Phillip’s brother.
Phillip, in turn, accused Holly of playing a role in his exit from the show to protect her own public image.
The bad blood between them became public when Phillip referred to her as one of the “three worst people in showbiz” during his appearance on Channel 5’s Cast Away.
Public Confession and Personal Turmoil
In his public statement, Phillip acknowledged that his affair had left him feeling broken.
He revealed that his daughters, Molly and Ruby, had been his lifeline during his darkest moments.
“They haven’t left my side,” he shared, admitting that their support had stopped him from ending his life.
Despite being married since 1993, Phillip has not confirmed any new relationships since the affair.
He also rejected accusations of grooming, stressing that attraction works the same in every sexuality and that their romantic involvement only began once the man joined This Morning.
A Career in Limbo
Since leaving This Morning, Phillip has kept largely away from the spotlight.
His public appearances have been rare, and his once-untouchable TV career now sits in uncertain territory.
Meanwhile, Holly continues to thrive professionally, leaving their shared past firmly behind her.
As for Phillip, his Saturday night out with Joshua was one of the few glimpses into his social life in recent months — a night that stood in complete contrast to Holly’s peaceful escape abroad.
