Phillip Schofield has made a return to the limelight with his inner circle of close celebrity friends and loved ones rallying around the ex-TV star in support.  

The former This Morning host, 62, had gone into hiding for nearly a year following his confession that he had an affair with a much younger colleague.

But in the last week, almost a year after he quit the daytime show, he has started to slowly edge his way back into the public eye with a flurry of appearances. 

He was snapped in London last week looking relaxed with a bag slung over his shoulder as he laughed and joked with close pal Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall.

He had reportedly just enjoyed a four-hour dinner with ITV's golden boy at a restaurant close to their homes when they were spotted in hysterics. 

Schofield followed that up days later by ending his social media blackout of nearly a year by reigniting his Instagram with a sweet photo of his pet pooch Alfie watching Formula One on television. 

Daughters Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, as well as This Morning co-host Josie Gibson raced to like the post within minutes in a clear sign of support. 

And his beloved daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father.

Philip Schofield has been pictured today strolling in the sun in west London

Phillip Schofield has made a return to the limelight with his close celebrity friends and loved ones rallying around the shamed star in support

He was snapped in London last week looking relaxed with a bag slung over his shoulder as he laughed and joked with close pal Declan Donnelly

Schofield followed that up days later by ending his social media blackout of nearly a year by reigniting his Instagram with a sweet photo of his pet pooch Alfie

His daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father

PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together. 

Calling him a rare talent, Mr Borkowski said: 'He's testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving.'

Schofield told the BBC in an emotional interview last June the affair had finished his career and revealed that the fallout had left him feeling suicidal.

He told how his two daughters - Molly and Ruby - had saved his life and had 'guarded me and won't let me out of their sight'.

He admitted during the sit-down interview with Amol Rajan denied he had groomed the younger colleague, before telling critics: 'Do you want me to die? Because that's where I am.'

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Phillip Schofield can't contain his laughter as he steps out for a wholesome dinner with cheerful Declan Donnelly as he eyes up TV comeback

Schofield quit This Morning in a cloud of controversy having first lied to bosses about the 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the male runner 34 years his junior. 

An external review led by barrister Jane Mulcahy KC concluded ITV had made 'considerable efforts' to find out the truth when rumours began to swirl about the relationship in 2019.

But the repeated denials meant the broadcaster was unable to uncover the truth until Schofield's admission. 

The fallout from the scandal led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby.

After Schofield left the show in May, his co-host Willoughby later quit in October due to an alleged kidnap plot.

The pair were officially replaced by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March as the two took on the show full time after a series of guest presenters had been rotating the daytime slot.

The former This Morning presenter was seen today walking his dog Alfie in west London

Today's walk comes after he returned to social media yesterday with a photo of his dog

The ex-Dancing On Ice host was accompanied by the chocolate cockapoo named Alfie

At one point on their stroll the dog's leash threatened to get entangled

The former This Morning host laughs and jokes with his close friend Dec after enjoying a meal out together 

Also joining the giggling pair for dinner was Dec's wife Ali Astall and Phillip's pet pooch

Schofield stood down from This Morning last May after admitting he had lied about his relationship with a much younger colleague 

It led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby. He sent his ex-BFF a text message for lying to her about his affair 

Schofield had been in the wilderness since admitting to the affair and lying to his ITV employers in an extraordinary mea culpa to the Mail last May

Back in March friends of the star have said that he is 'quite certain' he will never work again.

One said: 'Phillip has been very, very down recently. He doesn't know how he is going to work again. It's devastating for him to realise but he also knows that there is not a lot he can do about it. He doesn't know who will take him. He knows there is no way back to ITV or the BBC.'

Sources close to the star say that his friends are trying to encourage him to think he can have a 'fulfilling life' away from showbusiness.

One said: 'Just because he may not be on telly again doesn't mean he can't enjoy his life. Phil isn't so sure though.'

The star has though been tipped for a job on national radio – his 'first love' – with Britain's largest commercial stations said to be jostling to bring him in to woo new listeners from rivals, including BBC Radio 2.