Phillip Schofield seen looking relaxed and content following Dancing On Ice return after Stephen Mulhern takes over This Morning role amidst affair controversy

Phillip Schofield was spotted looking relaxed and happy as he stepped out for the first time since Dancing On Ice returned to screens. 

The star, 61, stepped down from presenting the show alongside his best pal Holly Willoughby following his departure from This Morning, when his ‘ill-advised but not illegal’ affair with a younger colleague was made public.

Earlier this month, DOI returned with Holly, 42, at the helm alongside Phillip’s replacement Stephen Mulhurn, 46, yet it has been reported that the disgraced TV star has not been tuning in as he is ‘bruised’ by his absence.

During his outing on Thursday, Phillip headed to a local shop, which he departed while laughing and grinning wildly in a rare sighting of the star. 

According to The Sun, a source said: ‘Phil is still bruised by the whole Holly falling-out and the way it was played out publicly. He still can’t bring himself to watch This Morning and even listening to the theme tune is deeply triggering.

Phillip Schofield was spotted looking relaxed and happy as he stepped out for the first time since Dancing On Ice returned to screens

Earlier this month, DOI returned with Holly, 42, at the helm alongside Phillip’s replacement Stephen Mulhurn, 46, yet it has been reported that the disgraced TV star has not been tuning in as he is ‘bruised’ by his absence 

During his outing on Thursday, Phillip headed to a local shop, which he departed while laughing and grinning wildly in a rare sighting of the star

‘It would seem unlikely he is avidly tuning in to watch Holly’s return to TV. Phil wants to move on and live a quiet life away from the spotlight whilst he tries to rebuild.

‘He reached out to offer his support when the awful kidnap news broke but it’s understood they have not been in contact since, so he’s probably not spoken to Holly ahead of her DOI return.’

Viewers praised Stephen for his debut performance as regular co-host alongside Holly as the 2024 series launched.

Holly dazzled in a silver strappy dress as she made her return to television at the weekend, welcoming her new co-host Stephen to the show.

She told ITV viewers: ‘We are off!’, before asking fans to give her new co-host a warm reception, adding: ‘And also can we just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern!’

Fans of the show took to social media to praise the pair, with many crediting Stephen for bringing ‘fresh energy’ and injecting ‘some real fun’ into the episode.

One person wrote on Twitter: ‘Enjoyed Stephen Mulhern as a presenter on #DancingOnIce alongside Holly. Brought some fresh energy to the show!’

Holly and Phil are pictured presenting the show last year. Holly co-hosted the show with Phillip from its inception in 2006 until 2011