Phillip Schofield returned to This Morning after three weeks off air and sent a message to those who have shared their support following his brother's trial. The presenter released a statement earlier this month after his sibling was found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy over a period of three years.
Timothy Schofield was convicted at Exeter Crown Court on April 3 after a jury spent around five and a half hours deliberating the case.
The 54-year-old was charged with 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019. Schofield denied the charges but was convicted of three counts of causing a child to watch sexual activity, three of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, three of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two of sexual activity with a child.
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In a statement released by his lawyer following his brother's conviction, TV presenter Phillip said: "My overwhelming concern is and has always been for the wellbeing of the victim and his family. I hope that their privacy will now be respected.
“If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family. These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts." He added: "As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother."
And returning to This Morning on Monday (April 17), Phillip broke his silence. The 61-year-old was back on-screen with stand-in host Rochelle Humes as usual co-host and pal Holly Willoughby is off sick as she has been struck down by shingles.
After sending his love to Holly at the beginning of the show, Phillip added: "I'd just like to say, it is really lovely to be back. I have missed the show and everyone here and also to you.
"I wanted to say thank you for your kind messages and support which were really appreciated. Thank you very much indeed." He then added: "On with the show... Shall we?" as he and Rochelle moved on to reveal what was coming up on the first episode of the ITV daytime show of the week.
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