Phillip Schofield reportedly held crisis talks with This Morning bosses over his break from the show, after his brother’s child sex abuse trial.
The television presenter, 61, has been off-air for two weeks while other hosts including Alison Hammond and Joel Dommett have taken his place alongside regular Holly Willoughby.
It was thought that while Phillip’s management are said to be keen for him to return, ITV bigwigs wanted more time for the dust to settle after the trial.
A representative for This Morning has insisted to MailOnline that Phillip will return as planned on April 17.
Phillip initially took a break ahead of his brother Timothy’s trial for sexually assaulting a young boy. Timothy was found guilty last week and will be sentenced next month.
Hiatus: Phillip Schofield reportedly held crisis talks with This Morning bosses over his break from the show, after his brother’s child sex abuse trial (pictured on the show this month)
Downtime: The television presenter, who usually hosts This Morning with Holly Willoughby (pictured) has been off-air for two weeks while other hosts have taken his place
A source told the Mirror that Phillip’s management company would like him back on screen as soon as possible.
They said: ‘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.
‘ITV have a lot of talent and this was a good opportunity to test people out. It is possible in future there may be a presenting shakeup, and experiments like this are really helpful.’
Phillip’s contract is up for renewal this year but a source close to him told the publication he is ‘looking forward’ to his return on Apirl 17.
ITV told MailOnline: ‘This is untrue. Phil is due to return after the Easter holidays.
‘We don’t comment on speculation around artists’ contracts.’
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Phillip for further comment.
Sibling: Phillip’s brother Timothy Schofield (pictured) was convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019
Family: Phillip (right) initially took a break ahead of his brother Timothy’s (left) trial for sexually assaulting a young boy. Timothy was found guilty last week and will be sentenced next month (pictured in 2017)
TV personality Phillip’s brother Timothy was found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy.
Timothy has been convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child, following a trial at Exeter Crown Court.
Phillip’s brother cited ‘mental health struggles’ as a reason for his actions, whilst he also accused the victim of ‘exaggerating’ what happened.
Avon and Somerset Police, where Timothy was employed, said a misconduct hearing will be held ‘as soon as possible’. The IT worker was suspended in December 2021.
Detective Inspector Keith Smith said: ‘This defendant has exploited and abused the victim by carrying out a sickening series of offences over a significant period of time.
‘Although the defendant does not work in a public-facing role, and the offences are not linked to his employment, we know the fact he works for the police will be a matter of public concern.’
Timothy was found guilty on all counts, with the jury reaching a majority of 10-2 after more than five-and-a-half hours of deliberation.
Standing in: While Phillip has been taking a break, This Morning regular Alison Hammond (left) has appeared alongside Holly (pictured last month)
Helping out: Joel Dommett has also appeared as a stand-in host while Phillip has been away from This Morning (pictured last month)
He was convicted of three counts of causing a child to watch sexual activity, three of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, three of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and two of sexual activity with a child.
Closing the case, prosecutor Robin Shellard said: ‘We are not dealing with morals but criminal abuse against a child.’
He added: ‘There are good reasons why society – and we here are all part of this society and the law which is founded because of society – treats those under 18 and those under 16 not as full adults.
‘Society tries to protect children from adults who want to abuse them and tries to protect children from themselves.’
Referring to the defendant’s claims of ‘exaggeration’, Mr Shellard said: ‘The problem for Mr Schofield is how restrained the boy is in his allegations.
Following the trial, Timothy has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing at Bristol Crown Court on 19 May.
Phillip has distanced himself from his brother in the wake of the latter’s conviction, having also served as a witness in the recent trial.
In a statement released by his lawyer after the guilty verdict, Phillip Schofield said: ‘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.’
Crimes: Timothy has been convicted of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019, including two of sexual activity with a child (Timothy pictured leaving Exeter Crown Court last month)
He continued: ‘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. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.’
Phillip has not appeared as a presenter on This Morning after taking time off to appear as a witness during his brother’s trial.
Holly and Phillip had already been scheduled to take their usual two-week Easter break.
Phillip’s extended absence means he will miss at least three weeks of shows before returning on air.
