Phillip Schofield has spoken publicly for the first time in years in a rare return to the spotlight following his departure from This Morning three years ago.
In a new interview, the former presenter branded his time out of the limelight as "utterly brutal", acknowledging his television career is finished.
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were the faces of This Morning for over a decade
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The 64-year-old former presenter, who left ITV in May 2023 following revelations about an affair with a younger male colleague, now resides in a detached Victorian property in Chiswick, west London.
"Life is really calm and drama-free now," Mr Schofield stated in an email to The Daily Mail. "I decided a while ago that I just wanted a quiet life with family, friends I can trust and my dog."
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield also fronted Dancing on Ice
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The ex-Dancing on Ice host added: "The past few years were, as you know, utterly brutal on so many levels.
"I came to terms with the fact that there was no way back. I've got used to my new life and I'm content with that and happy."
The once-inseparable presenting duo of Mr Schofield and Holly Willoughby have severed all ties, with sources confirming they are now completely "no contact" and refuse to speak each other's names in either public or private settings.
"It runs that deep," a source revealed. "It got really, really toxic in the end, actually, for a long time things hadn't been that great between them, but they had to hold it together for This Morning.
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are no longer speaking
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"Despite what happened, in front of the camera, they were pros."
Their respective families are also believed to have chosen sides in the fallout. Ms Willoughby's husband, Dan Baldwin, a television production executive, reportedly harbours deep animosity towards Mr Schofield.
Meanwhile, Mr Schofield's daughters Molly, 32, and Ruby, 30, who previously enjoyed close friendships with Ms Willoughby, including "girls' nights" at their neighbouring Portuguese villas, now think "very little" of her.
Mr Schofield believes Ms Willoughby abandoned him when he most needed support, whilst she felt betrayed by his dishonesty about the affair.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield won several awards together
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Ms Willoughby departed This Morning five months after Mr Schofield, in October 2023, her decision heavily influenced by a terrifying conspiracy to kidnap, rape and murder her.
Former security guard Gavin Plumb received a life sentence in June 2024 after being convicted on all counts.
During the months surrounding that ordeal, the 45-year-old rarely ventured from her home and was fearful of returning to live broadcasting.
She has since hosted Dancing on Ice and fronted Netflix's Celebrity Bear Hunt alongside Bear Grylls.
Phillip Schofield did return to screens on Channel 5's Cast Away
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Meanwhile, Mr Schofield's daily routine now centres on morning walks with his chocolate cockapoo Alfie through the leafy streets near his Chiswick home, where neighbours remain star-struck when encountering the former television star.
His daughters have stood firmly beside him throughout the scandal. Speaking on Channel 5's Cast Away documentary, Molly said: "When my dad came out, it was... very hard for me.
"It was very hard for the entire family - mainly my mum, of course - everything was turned upside down.
"But we talked through it, and over time it's got easier."