PHILLIP Schofield made a brief return to This Morning today with Holly Willoughby to plug a new daily game on the show.
The ITV presenters will return to the programme next week and will host 12 at 12, a segment that rewards lucky viewers with a cash prize.
Phillip Schofield will return to This Morning next week
12 at 12 is returning to This Morning next week
Holly presented the show with Alison Hammond in Phillip’s absence
It is the first time Phillip has been seen on screen since taking a leave of absence while his brother Timothy Schofield was tried in court for abusing a schoolboy.
Over the weekend ITV hit back at claims they are in “crisis talks” over the return of Phillip to the programme.
Phillip, 61, went missing from the programme last month, with his co-presenter Holly instead joined by Alison Hammond.
The presenter took time out amid his brother’s sex case trial, which saw Timothy, 54, convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child over three years from October 2016, including two of sexual activity.
In the wake of the ruling, Phillip said in a statement: “If any crime had ever been confessed to me, I would have acted immediately. As far as I’m concerned, I no longer have a brother.”
Phillip will make his TV comeback on April 17.
ITV chiefs had suggested more time off, according to The Mirror, having had a chance to test out a range of hosts in his absence.
That was said to have been met by a backlash from Phil’s management at the talent agency YMU.
A source told the publication: “YMU’s view was the sooner Phillip was back the better.
“But ITV offered him the chance to have more time off. They felt a longer break would benefit him as he has been in bits at points over the past few weeks.
“They were also keen to see how audiences responded to other presenters.”
An ITV spokesperson has since said: “This is untrue. Phil is due to return after the Easter holidays.”
Craig Doyle and Josie Gibson have reunited to host the show this week.
Alison and Dermot O’Leary covered the show last week.
Phillip’s brother Timothy, 54, carried out a string of sexual offences – the most serious involving a sex act with a boy.
The abuse spanned a three-year period, during which time the victim was a teenager.
Timothy 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.
The civilian police officer was also found guilty of three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two of sexual activity with a child after five hours deliberation.
TV presenter Phillip said in a statement following the verdict: “My overwhelming concern is and has always been for the wellbeing of the victim and his family. I hope that their privacy will now be respected.
“If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family.
“These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts.”
Phillip’s brother Timothy was found guilty of sexual activity with a child last week
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