…By Alan Peterson for TDPel Media.
Phillip Schofield, who recently announced his departure from ITV’s This Morning after more than two decades, has had a remarkable career in television.
The 61-year-old presenter, known for his role alongside Gordon The Gopher on the BBC children’s show, graduated from hosting CBBC’s Broom Cupboard to become a prominent figure in daytime TV.
Chemistry with Holly Willoughby played a significant role in Schofield’s enduring success.
Besides co-hosting This Morning, the dynamic duo also fronted Dancing On Ice.
Schofield’s dedication to the show led him to step down, stating that he wanted to protect the program he loves, as it had become the center of attention.
Schofield’s passion for television began early on, and he relentlessly pursued his dreams.
Writing numerous letters to the BBC, he focused solely on a career in the industry.
At the age of 17, he secured a job as a bookings clerk at the BBC.
Later, Schofield and his family moved to New Zealand, where he found opportunities in television and radio.
Upon returning to Britain, he made his mark hosting the first-ever afternoon of Children’s BBC in 1985, accompanied by his puppet sidekick, Gordon The Gopher.
Schofield’s versatility was evident during his time as the host of the Saturday morning show Going Live in 1987.
He signed an exclusive contract in 1996, presenting various shows, including Talking Telephone Numbers, Schofield’s Quest, and Schofield’s TV Gold.
Alongside his television success, Schofield also triumphed on stage, taking on the lead role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
In 2002, Schofield seized the opportunity to host This Morning following John Leslie’s departure.
He shared the screen with Fern Britton, who later left the show.
Holly Willoughby became his trusted “on-screen wife.”
In a poignant moment on-air in February 2020, Schofield came out as gay, sharing his truth with Willoughby and the viewers.
Throughout his career, Schofield faced both triumph and controversy.
He and Willoughby faced criticism for allegedly jumping the queue at the Queen’s lying-in-state event while attending as members of the media to film a segment for This Morning.
Nevertheless, the duo received recognition and gratitude from viewers as This Morning won the daytime prize at the National Television Awards in September 2020.
In April, Schofield returned to This Morning after a pre-planned leave related to his brother’s sex abuse trial.
His brother, Timothy Schofield, was convicted of 11 sexual offenses involving a child.
During this challenging time, Schofield’s wife, Stephanie, expressed her support and love for him, emphasizing the strength of their family bond.
Married since 1993, Phillip and Stephanie Schofield have two adult daughters, Ruby and Molly.
In 2018, they celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, marking a significant milestone in their enduring marriage.