Phillip denied plotting a TV comeback with Declan Donnelly (Image: Channel 5)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy Notice Earlier this year, Phillip Schofield was spotted enjoying a meal with his good friend Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall. Back in May, rumours were rife that the 62-year-old TV star, who had to step down from his presenting role on This Morning last year, was planning a TV comeback. However, five months on, Phillip has rubbished these claims, insisting it was just a friendly catch-up that only lasted “an hour and a half” as Dec and Ali had to get back to their kids and Phillip’s dog was sitting under the table. On his Channel 5 show Cast Away, he said: “Dec Donnelly and I went to the restaurant and I got Alfie [his dog] with me and the pap followed me to the restaurant. They said it was a four hour dinner discussing my TV comeback. We were in there for an hour and a half max.”
Dec and Phillip have a long-standing friendship
(Image: No credit)
He continued, “They’ve got the kids at home to get back to and get to bed. I’ve got Alfie under the table, so it was an hour and a half max in there, but it was a four hour planning my TV comeback. All utter b****s. It’s beginning to sink in that I’m going back to all of that.” Back in May, the former Dancing on Ice presenter was spotted in a fit of laughter leaving a restaurant, sparking rumours that he was piecing his life back together following his unexpected exit from ITV in May last year. The veteran presenter, who stepped down after admitting to misleading statements about his relationship with a younger colleague, also faced speculation about the deterioration of his friendship with co-host Holly Willoughby. At the time of his dinner, a source told OK! that Phillip could be considering a run on I’m A Celebrity, which Dec presents with his best friend Ant McPartlin. “Phillip’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’ve had a long friendship,” they claimed. “Many think the jungle would be the best move for Phillip to get his career back on track. A lot of stars have gone on there when their luck is down and they want to get their side across.
Phil implied he wouldn’t be seen on screen again
(Image: PA)
Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free However during his return to TV in his three-part Channel 5 series this week, which finished today (Wednesday, October 2) Phillip appeared to rule out doing more TV work, saying he was “bowing out”. “I don’t want to do it anymore. I’ll be slammed for this – ‘ Phillip Schofield, mad rant!’ – but the thing is, I don’t care anymore!” he said to the camera. This is me having my say as I bow out and the thing is when you do a programme like this and you do it just for yourself, you have nothing to lose.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnDeclan DonnellyHolly WilloughbyPhillip SchofieldAli AstallAnt and DecThis Morning
