Phillip Schofield: Here's how family helped the presenter through a very difficult year

Phillip Schofield stepped down from ITV’s This Morning on Saturday, May, 22 2023 amid rumours he and co-host Holly Willoughby had been feuding. Since then, it has come out that Phillip had an affair with a much younger colleague.

Since the affair has come to light, Schofield has completely stepped down from ITV and did not host the British Soap Awards. At the time, he was also fired by his agents at YMU ‘with immediate effect’ according to Daily Mail.

Amid the whole scandal, Phillip Schofield released a statement via Daily Mail. In it, he apologised to his wife for having an affair during their marriage as well as lying about the affair to ITV.

The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning.

I am so very, very sorry, as I am for having been unfaithful to my wife.

Phillip Schofield’s marriage

As many of you know, Phillip Schofield is married. He has been married to his wife Stephanie Lowe for over 30 years. Schofield and Lowe tied the knot back in 1993 and are still together, even after Phillip came out as gay in 2020.

Together, the couple brought two children into this world, Molly and Ruby. Since his coming out in February 2020, Stephanie shared her thoughts on the news. In 2020, she told The Sun:

We have had to face the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage.

Schofield also admitted that he knew he was gay when he married Lowe in 1993. In the same interview, he said:

I am not saying I didn't know. Whatever was 'there' I thought, 'Ok, whatever this is, you stay back because I am happy'.

Phillip then went on to explain that in the end, Stephanie knew he was gay as they lived together and they share everything:

Steph is my closest confidante. She's been amazing. I have no secrets from Steph. We have been very truthful and honest. She has known for a while.

Despite their strong partnership, the revelation of Phillip's sexuality in 2020 marked a pivotal moment in their marriage, prompting discussions about love, truth, and the complexities of personal identity within a public life.

Following his public announcement, Phillip spoke candidly about the support and understanding he received from Stephanie, describing her as 'the kindest soul I have ever met' and highlighting the strength of their bond, even in the face of adversity. He emphasized the difficult conversations that ensued, revealing the depth of their relationship:

The most difficult conversation I've ever had to have with her, and she is extremely disappointed because I lied to her as well. But, she wished me well today, and so we'll see.

This sentiment was mirrored by Stephanie's own statements, where she expressed unwavering love and support for Phillip, underlining the importance of living one's truth:

I love Phillip, as much today as I ever have, and always will.

Despite the challenges, sources close to the couple have indicated that love and friendship continue to underpin their relationship, with Stephanie described as Phillip's 'support system' and an integral part of his life. Their ability to maintain a strong connection, even in unconventional circumstances, speaks to a deep-rooted bond—one that has weathered both public scrutiny and personal evolution.

Reports of plans to spend family holidays together further suggest a mutual commitment to maintaining familial unity and support, showcasing an adaptable and enduring partnership.

An anonymous source told Express in 2023 that the two would not be getting a divorce:

Even if the love they shared in the beginning of their marriage is different to what it is now, the love is still very much there.

The insider added:

It’s telling that they will spend Christmas together again as a family. He is the father of her daughters, after all, and the girls love him dearly

Phil has caused his wife a lot of hurt in recent times, but there’s no denying, they still have a great friendship and share a lot of love.

Back when the affair came to light in 2023 and now in 2024, it remains unclear whether or not the couple plan on divorcing. Stephanie revealed that she would wait until Phillip is in a relationship before deciding to split amicably. A source told Mirror in 2020:

She’s saying she’ll stick with him until he’s settled and happy in a new relationship, and then they’ll talk about an amicable split deal.

Who is Stephanie Lowe?

Though Stephanie Lowe is mostly known as Phillip Schofield's wife, the woman has had a career of her own. It is actually that career that led to the couple meeting. Their relationship began while both were employed at the BBC—Phillip working in children's television and Stephanie as a production assistant.

Their marriage in 1993, held at the historical Ackergill Tower in Scotland, was celebrated with significant enthusiasm, marking the beginning of a life together that would intertwine both personally and professionally.

Over the years, the couple ventured into television projects together, including Schofield's South African Adventure in 2017, showcasing their exploration of South African culture, and How To Spend Well At Christmas in 2019, focusing on festive budgeting and gift selections from their Oxfordshire home.

Phillip Schofield and Stephanie Lowe's daughters

As reported previously, Schofield and Lowe have two daughters together. Prior to the scandal which saw Schofield put his career behind him, the family regularly shared pics together on social media.

Molly Schofield

At 30, Molly Schofield has carved out a significant career in the entertainment industry as a talent manager based in London. Her journey began at YMU, a global talent agency known for its representation of high-profile personalities, including Amanda Holden and Ant and Dec. Despite YMU severing ties with Phillip Schofield after the revelations and controversies of 2023, Molly continued to establish her professional identity, ascending from a personal assistant to a senior talent manager, a progression documented on her LinkedIn profile and acknowledged by her substantial following on Instagram.

The narrative took a pivotal turn when Molly Schofield decided to leave YMU, at the beginning of March 2024. This decision marked a significant shift in Molly's career, transitioning from a structured role within a major talent agency to directly managing her father's public image amidst a tumultuous period.

Following her exit from YMU a source working at the agency spoke to Mirror and described the situation after May 2023, as 'awkward'. According to that source, Molly faced a difficult time at work after her father's demise. The anonymous source explained:

Molly was popular at YMU but it was always going to be a little bit awkward working there after what happened.

Phillip was part of the furniture there, he was very important and very powerful so things must have changed a lot for her,

Adding,

As recently as three weeks ago she was negotiating with the British media about stories that had been published about her father, acting very much as his PR.

Ruby Schofield

Contrary to Molly, information about Ruby Schofield is limited. According to Daily Mail, Ruby is 27 and lives in London. Though her profession is unknown, the publication mentions that she went to complete a degree in Leeds where she attended Beckett University. There she studied psychology.

The Mail continues and explains that Ruby completed an internship at ITV as well as volunteering work for The Children Centre. The publication reports that she raised £15,000.

On Instagram, the young woman has over 80,000 followers.

Phillip Schofield and his daughters

Phillip Schofield's daughters are not in the spotlight as much as their father is, however, they have made moves that show how much they did and still support him after his May 2023 scandal. Since the beginning of his nightmare year, Schofield has been vocal about the indispensable support he's received from his family, particularly his daughters.

The Schofield family has stood together during this period, with Molly and Ruby being described as 'fiercely protective' of their father.

A source told OK!:

Their bond is as strong as ever. Ultimately, they’re fiercely protective, they love their daddy, they always will be and they’re going to help get him through this.

Talking with The Sun, Schofield attributes his ability to navigate through his recent personal difficulties to the unwavering support of his daughters.

And if it hadn’t been for my girls last week I wouldn’t be here. I know I deserve it but they said, ‘Don’t you dare, we’re here to look after you’,

I’ve had such a s*** couple of years, and with this ultimate final cataclysm, I looked ahead at nothing and the girls said: 'Don’t you dare do it on our watch’. And that took me one step back and they won’t leave me alone. They were guarding me.

This sentiment underscores the close bond between Schofield and his daughters, who have been instrumental in helping him through his 'very bad way mentally.'

In September 2023, Schofield and his daughters reportedly unfollowed Holly Willoughby on social media, amidst rumors of a feud between the former co-stars. This decision by Molly and Ruby to unfollow Willoughby seems to reflect their solidarity with their father through his tumultuous exit from This Morning and the ensuing public discourse.

A source close to the family highlighted the daughters' loyalty, saying,

Both Molly and Ruby have seen their father go through hell, they have been at his side as he has lost everything. Meanwhile, by following Holly on Instagram they see her carrying on with her life. The whole scandal has taken its toll on them, their support for him as been unwavering and this is the final nail.

Phillip Schofield’s affair at ITV was 'known'

In his statement, Phillip Schofield admitted to having an affair with a younger male colleague from This Morning. However, it is believed that Phillip and the colleague met when the latter was just 15.

Schofield admits that his relationship with the young colleague was ‘unwise but not illegal’.

At the time, fellow presenter Eamonn Holmes shared his thought on the matter. In an interview with Dan Wootton, Holmes reveals that Schofield’s affair was 'known by virtually every staff member both on and off screen’ and that he had asked ITV to investigate.

Holmes also revealed that the young colleague involved in the affair is still in touch with his wife, Ruth Langsford.

The couple knew the young man and that they ‘looked after him’ on the show:

Ruth and I particularly looked after him, he never once talked to us about any relationship.

But we knew he was in a bad way and he was in a bad way fragilely.

There’s an incredible duty of care that should go with that young man.

Holmes then explained that the young man went on to work with Loose Women.

Sources used:

Metro: ‘Eamonn Holmes’ wife Ruth Langsford is ‘still in touch’ with Phillip Schofield’s ‘ex-lover’

The Sun: ‘PHIL'S STRUGGLE Phil Schofield says he was ‘naive to suppress’ that he was gay when he married 27 years ago’

Daily Mail: ‘Phillip Schofield apologises to wife Stephanie Lowe after admitting to having affair with young male This Morning colleague while he was still married to her’

Hello!: ‘Phillip Schofield's wife Stephanie Lowe breaks silence as This Morning presenter admits he knew he was gay 27 years ago’

Hello!: ‘Phillip Schofield addresses wedding ring questions following shock split from wife Stephanie’

Mirror: 'Phillip Schofield's wife has 'no plans to divorce TV star' after he came out as gay'

Express: Phillip Schofield's wife 'still loves him' as pair set to reunite for special occasion

OK!: Real reason Phillip Schofield's wife will never divorce him

Hello!: Who is Phillip Schofield's wife? Everything you need to know about Stephanie Lowe

Daily Mail: Who are Phillip Schofield's daughters Ruby and Molly?

Mirror: Phillip Schofield's daughter quits showbiz talent agency after 'awkward' connection

Daily Mail: Phillip Schofield's daughter Molly, 30, leaves talent agency YMU to work as her father's publicist after his affair with This Morning runner

Mirror: Phillip Schofield's daughters 'unfollow Holly Willoughby' just days after Instagram snub

Mirror: Phillip Schofield's two closest allies as he attempts to rebuild his life after nightmare year