06 September 2023 , 10:56
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Phillip Schofield reportedly has plans for a TV bounce-back after unfollowing his former This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby on social media - and we want to know what you think.
The 61-year-old gave up his seat on the ITV sofa in May after it emerged that he had an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger male colleague on the show, despite being married to his wife Steph. Following 21-years on the daytime show, the presenter is now eyeing up plans to step back onto screens, claims crisis communications and PR expert Edward Coram-James, from SEO agency Go Up.
The public image guru says Phil has a three-step plan for reputational recovery, with the first move being his “very well executed” tell-all BBC interview back on June 2. Edward explains that this was a smart move because “in the interview, we were reminded that he was a person” and that “he was apologetic and took full responsibility”.
He added: "Schofield is a presenting veteran and was always going to fare better in such circumstances than the likes of the Duke of York. He is used to being in front of the camera, being personable, amendable and human, and saying what he has to say.”
The second step occurred through chance during the Huw Edwards' scandal with the PR guru saying this incident distracted the public and held up a mirror, with many comparing the two crises.
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Phase three in his attempt to rehabilitate his public image is to be normalised once more and to reinvent himself. Edward claims this can be achieved by other high-profile personalities removing his “unfairly given pariah status”, he said: “The more Schofield is seen out and about with universally loved TV personalities, the more his image will be rehabilitated by association in the minds of the public”.
This also involves celebrities inviting him onto their shows to normalise the idea of him being on TV again, as “the public needs to see him in his natural environment, doing what he does best”. Following last night’s NTA awards, do you think Phillip should make a TV comeback? Vote in our poll to have your say.
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