With all signs pointing to Phillip Schofield making an imminent showbiz comeback, the question on everyone’s lips is how his former best friend Holly Willoughby is going to take it.
And we’re told that Holly’s hopes for a perfect summer have been tarnished by the news of her former co-presenter’s revival, especially as she was planning to unwind after an extended period filming a new TV show in the Costa Rican jungle.
“After a gruelling few weeks – and being away from her husband and kids – Holly was very much been looking forward to having the summer off and spending quality time with her family,” we’re told.
“She’s exhausted and just wants to relax. But the looming drama of Phil’s comeback is always on her mind – she’s just waiting for him to announce his next move.”
Formerly the golden duo of TV, Holly and Phil’s once iron-clad friendship sensationally broke down last year amid the news of his “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger colleague.
As Phillip, 62, quit his roles at ITV and was dropped by his management YMU, Holly, 43, became embroiled in the fallout, with many accusing her of knowing about the affair – something both she and Phillip vehemently denied.
After their respective bow-outs from This Morning – Phillip’s in May 2023 and Holly’s five months later – the presenters have taken different paths. While Phillip faded from the spotlight and kept his head down, Holly landed a presenting job on new Netflix survival show Bear Hunt, which she’s been busy filming alongside host Bear Grylls and a slew of celebrities in Central America.
But Holly’s plans to return to home turf for a perfect family summer with husband Dan Baldwin and their three children – Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and nine-year-old Chester – have been jeopardised with Phil’s apparent reintegration onto the media and TV circuit.
Speculation that the veteran host could be eyeing up a return to the small screen started last month when he was pictured laughing with ITV favourite Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall, following a four-hour dinner.
“Some TV executives have been in touch with Phil about a possible return and his friends have told him he should consider it,” a source said when the pictures of Phillip and Dec emerged. “Whether he will make a comeback – and whether it’s on TV or radio – is still undecided, but the offers are there.”
Meanwhile, an additional source claimed that both Dec and his TV partner Ant McPartlin believe that an I’m A Celebrity stint would be the “best move” for Phillip.
“He’s very much looking for a TV comeback and to do it in the right way. He’s always got on with both Ant and Dec – they have a long friendship. The boys are making sure he knows they’re there for him and asking if he needs anything,” the insider said.
But this is not the only hint that Phillip could be making a comeback. Five days after his outing with Dec, Phillip broke his year-long social media silence by sharing a photo of his pet pooch Alfie watching the F1. And his older daughter Molly – who he shares with estranged wife Stephanie Lowe – has been listed as his new manager via MMS Projects, three months after she quit YMU herself.
Our source says that the comeback signals have left Holly feeling especially nervous about her annual summer trip to the Algarve, especially as Phillip has a villa close by.
“Holly knows it won’t be a quiet return from Phil, and she’s terrified of him spending the summer in Portugal, which is what she plans to do,” we’re told. “Phil still has friends in the industry who will be out there, so he will have people to connect with, and he wants to go with his family. But Holly is worried about any awkward run-ins.”