Schofield's Sunflower Smile: Is a TV Comeback on the Cards?

Phillip Schofield, the former *This Morning

presenter, has sparked speculation of a potential return to television after sharing a beaming selfie from what he calls his "happy place". The picture, posted on Instagram, shows Schofield standing amidst a field of sunflowers, a far cry from the storm he weathered following his admission of an affair with a younger colleague on the show last year.

The 62-year-old presenter left ITV under a cloud in May 2023, after revealing the "unwise, but not illegal" relationship. Although Schofield has limited comments on his social media, he received support from former co-stars, with Rochelle Humes liking the image and Alice Beer commenting "Gorgeous" – the only comment on the post.

This public support from former colleagues comes as Schofield's reported comeback appears to be gaining momentum. Several celebrities have shown their support through likes and comments on his Instagram posts, including Richard E Grant, Rylan Clark, and Kate Garraway.

Schofield's departure from *This Morning

sent shockwaves through ITV. The affair, coupled with his initial denial, led to a breakdown of his long-standing partnership with co-host Holly Willoughby. The scandal also saw Schofield take a step back from the public eye, but he returned to Instagram in May with posts featuring his dog, Alfie.

Despite the controversy, it seems Schofield is gradually re-entering the public sphere. He recently attended the British Grand Prix with his wife Stephanie Lowe and daughters. In May, he was spotted enjoying a four-hour dinner with ITV's Declan Donnelly, fuelling further rumours of a television comeback.

PR guru Mark Borkowski believes Schofield's tentative return is a calculated move after a year away from the spotlight. "He's testing the waters," Borkowski said, "But audiences are very forgiving."

Schofield's career took a significant hit following the scandal, and he revealed in an interview last June that the fallout had left him feeling suicidal. He spoke about how his daughters, Molly and Ruby, had been his lifeline, saying "They guarded me and won't let me out of their sight."

While Schofield's future on television remains uncertain, he has been linked to a potential career on national radio – his "first love" – with commercial stations reportedly vying for his services.

Despite the negative publicity, Schofield's recent actions indicate a strong desire to rebuild his career. Whether he'll return to television remains to be seen, but his gradual re-emergence is a clear signal that he's not ready to fade into the background just yet.