PHILLIP Schofield has been accused of “intimidating behaviour” while working on This Morning.
Nadine Dorries MP – who starred on I’m A Celeb in 2012 – has claimed the TV presenter “scared” her as she recalled a past interview with him and Holly Willoughby.
Phillip Schofield returned to presenting duties yesterday
Nadine Dorries MP has hit out at This Morning host Phillip
Phillip has interviewed Nadine Dorries ‘many times’
The former Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport didn’t hold back as she blasted “finger-jabbing” Phillip, 61, off-screen actions.
She even implied This Morning had been better off without him while he took pre-planned leave during his brother Timothy’s child sex abuse trial.
Nadine, 65, wrote in her Daily Mail column: “I’ve been interviewed by Holly and Phillip several times, and off-camera found Holly an absolute delight and Mr Schofield rather up himself.
“On one occasion, I witnessed what appeared to be somewhat intimidating behaviour.
“Holly was away, and as her stand-in looked down at her script — obviously wanting to see who or what was coming up next — Phillip glared at her and began to jab at her script with his finger. I don’t know about her, but he scared me.”
Nadine chose not to reveal the identity of Phillip’s female co-presenter who had stepped in to replace Holly.
Instead she praised Holly’s double act with Alison Hammond earlier this month while Phillip was off.
The presenter, 61, took a break during his brother’s trial before he was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child over three years from October 2016, including two of sexual activity.
Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted of three counts of causing a child to watch sexual activity and three of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
As his conviction was revealed, Phillip said : “These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.”
He returned to the This Morning sofa yesterday alongside Rochelle Humes after Holly came down with shingles.
After sending his love to Holly at the beginning of the show, Phillip added: “I’d just like to say, it is really lovely to be back. I have missed the show and everyone here and also to you.
“I wanted to say thank you for your kind messages and support which were really appreciated. Thank you very much indeed. On with the show… Shall we?”
Phillip has most recently presented alongside Holly, Alison and Josie Griffiths.
It’s claimed he has a strained relationship with former co-hosts Ruth Langsford and Amanda Holden.
In 2019, The Celeb Report revealed Ruth made an official complaint against him – while eight other ITV presenters described a “toxic” environment at This Morning.
She was praised for making a complaint against Phil by Britain’s Got Talent star Amanda.
The TV judge famously fell out with the veteran presenter after accusing him of getting her fired from the ITV morning show.
Praising Holly and Alison for “smashing it” as a presenting duo in Phillip’s absence, Nadine added: “After his own difficult times in recent weeks, let’s hope that a kinder Phillip returned to the studio yesterday.”
The Celeb Report has reached out to Phillip and This Morning for comment.
Phillip Schofield addressed his brother’s child sex abuse conviction
Nadine starred on I’m A Celeb in 2012
