Truth behind Phillip Schofield's mystery man who carried him back after boozy pub date

Earlier this week, Phillip Schofield was spotted being carried back by a mystery man after a boozy pub date with his daughter Molly and longtime friend Scott Brown. The 63-year-old was seen holding onto the male companion as they left the al fresco restaurant.

The two were pictured walking arm in arm as they emerged from LGBTQ+ cinema The Arzner Bar and café in Bermondsey, South East London on Saturday.

The man in question was later revealed to be London-based nurse and academic Joshua Sharman, 30, who is thought to be in a relationship with Phillip’s pal Scott. According to Daily Mail, the two men have become Phil’s support network and are helping him rebuild his life.

The publication stated that the dad-of-two is “enjoying his best gay life” and navigating his newfound freedom on the gay scene after years of hiding his true sexuality.

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A source told them: “Phil doesn't care any more. He is who he is and now he is able to be that person,' said one associate of the former This Morning presenter.

“He is spending more and more time in the London Bridge, Waterloo, Bermondsey area of London. It's much more him than Chiswick these days. That's all a bit stuck-up: a bit of a Nappy Valley area, and very family-orientated.

“That isn't who Phil is anymore. They are not his people. He is very much in his 'having fun' era.

“He was having a ball at the Arzner, but he also goes to other venues in the area. He's built up a group of friends in the community and is loving life. It's time to move on and make the most of things.”

One of the reasons for the shift in mindset is thought to be his friendship with Scott and Joshua, with who he is clearly spending plenty of time with.

The Mirror have contacted Phillip’s representative for a comment.

Phil resigned from ITV back in 2023 after admitting an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a This Morning colleague. He came out as gay in February 2020 and has retreated from the spotlight since quitting This Morning.

He apologised at the time for having previously lied about his relations with a member of the This Morning team while married. In his statement announcing his resignation, former Dancing on Ice host Phillip also stated that the "consensual on-off relationship" was "now over".

Phillip however later made a shock TV comeback on Channel 5's Cast Away last year. The three-part series saw him speak about his life whilst left on a remote island for ten days, as well as featuring his family in scenes filmed at home.

He has two children with Stephanie Lowe, 60, whom he is still married to after the pair tied the knot in 1993. The former couple are parents to daughters Molly Schofield, 32, and Ruby Schofield, 29, together.

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