While Holly Willoughby was soaking up the sun in Portugal and enjoying a wholesome holiday, her former best friend Phillip Schofield was spotted having a very different kind of weekend.
The 63-year-old ex-This Morning presenter was seen on Saturday looking a little worse for wear, sharing a cosy moment with his younger friend, London-based nurse Joshua Luke Sharman, 30, after what appeared to be a boozy lunch.
Helping a Friend — and Leaning In Close
The pair were photographed leaving a restaurant, seemingly stumbling as they made their way outside.
Phillip appeared to be helping Joshua stay steady on his feet, with the two later pausing for a snug street-side cuddle and even leaning in close to one another.
Joshua, dressed in a casual blue polo shirt and shorts, seemed to enjoy Phillip’s support before the friendly embrace.
His Instagram suggests he’s no stranger to the celebrity scene, with familiar faces like Gok Wan and Sally Lindsay popping up in his posts.
A Contrast to Holly’s Calm Getaway
The day’s antics stood in sharp contrast to Holly’s relaxing escape in Portugal.
The pair, once inseparable both on and off screen, used to holiday together with their families before their friendship fell apart in the wake of Phillip’s highly publicised career scandal.
Life After the This Morning Exit
Phillip stepped back from the spotlight in 2023 after admitting to an affair with a 20-year-old male runner from the show — something he described as “unwise but not illegal.”
He came out as gay on the programme in 2020 and has been married to Stephanie Lowe since 1993.
At the time, reports claimed Stephanie was devastated and angry about the secrecy, but later revealed she wasn’t seeking a divorce, saying she didn’t want Phillip to “fall any further” and that “the love is still very much there.”
Strained Friendships and Family Support
The fallout didn’t only affect his marriage. His once-solid partnership with Holly Willoughby crumbled, leaving them reportedly at odds.
His daughter Molly now acts as his publicist after leaving the talent agency that previously represented him.
Phillip Speaks Out on the Scandal
Phillip has strongly denied “grooming” his younger lover, explaining that they first met when the man was 15 during a visit to his drama school, but the relationship didn’t turn romantic until years later.
He also addressed accusations of impropriety by pointing out that attraction works the same regardless of sexuality, and that criticism can sometimes be rooted in homophobia.
The Toll on Mental Health
In past interviews, Phillip has admitted the relentless backlash pushed him to suicidal thoughts.
He credits his daughters with keeping him alive, saying they have been by his side constantly to make sure he’s safe.
“They told me, ‘Don’t you dare do this on our watch. We’re supposed to be looking after you,’” he recalled.
“If my girls hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here, because I don’t see my future.”
