Phillip Schofield: TV presenter can ‘bounce again’ after scandal, PR professional says

Phillip Schofield can “bounce back” in his profession following the scandal over his affair with a youthful male colleague, a communications professional has informed Sky News.

Kevin Craig additionally stated that Schofield may have prevented his present state of affairs if he had been “honest earlier on” in regards to the relationship.

The 61-year-old presenter resigned from ITV final week and was dropped by his expertise company YMU after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with the person who he labored with on This Morning.

Schofield’s relationship befell whereas the tv star was nonetheless married to spouse Stephanie Lowe and earlier than he got here out publicly as homosexual. He had denied having a relationship with a colleague when questioned by ITV about rumours in early 2020.

Speaking in his first interview since quitting the daytime present, the presenter stated his “career is over” and that he has had suicidal ideas following the scandal – however insisted he didn’t groom the younger man in query.

Mr Craig, founder and chief government of the communications company PLMR, informed Sky News he thinks his profession isn’t at an finish following his “moving” broadcast interview.

He stated he believes the presenter did the interview so as to “exert control over the situation which had been terribly lacking in recent weeks”.

“And I have to say, after many years of working in public relations and crisis management in this country, this was one of the most powerful, moving, poignant, robust, dramatic interviews that we’ve seen in decades. And I really feel for him,” he stated.

‘Possible’ for Schofield to have TV profession

Asked if he thinks Schofield can proceed his profession in tv, Mr Craig stated: “I think he can, because I think rehabilitation is possible. And again, you have to compare this over time to some of the other scandals that people in the public eye have been involved with.”

He added: “Yes, he’s made mistakes, but what’s he done? He’s had an ill-advised affair at work… you see people bounce back from that… I think there is a future for Phillip Schofield.”

He stated that whereas Schofield’s mistake was not disclosing his affair earlier, his interview demonstrated “real honesty and candour”.

The Mail On Sunday’s editor at giant, Charlotte Griffiths, informed Sky News she believes Schofield is holding out some hope of constant his showbiz profession.

She stated: “He said that he thinks his career is over repeatedly, of course, but part of me thinks that deep down, maybe even subconsciously he does harbour some hope because he was very keen not to say a single bad word about ITV.

“He’s performed this positively, saying all the fitting issues. And a part of me thinks possibly he hopes sooner or later, many, a few years from now, there may be some hope he may seem in some capability on tv screens once more.”

‘Prince Andrew interview confirmed mea culpas do not work’

However, Ms Griffiths stated that she does not consider Schofield’s interviews with the media will assist his state of affairs.

“I don’t think it will work,” she stated. “I believe we learnt from, say, the Prince Andrew mea culpa that was televised.”

Read extra:
Phillip Schofield’s facet of the story raises extra questions – who knew what, and when?
‘I nonetheless love Phillip Schofield’: Alison Hammond in tears on This Morning

Schofield ought to have been ‘sincere’ earlier on

Mr Craig stated Schofield may have prevented the entire scandal if he had been sincere from the beginning.

He stated: On what he believes the tip vacation spot of the story is, Mr Craig stated: “This is a remarkable situation because when you look at this through the prism of crisis management, one of the things in crisis management and protecting your reputation, is being honest.

“And it actually pains me to see that had Phillip Schofield been capable of be sincere earlier on, internally, this entire state of affairs may have been prevented.

“Now, for me, the end destination as a professional would be good health for Phillip and his family. He’s done his work now. He should now do nothing else for the coming weeks.”