has been seen for the first time since returned to our screens and he was
The former daytime star – whoafter admitting to lying about an affair with a younger male runner – has been keeping a low profile.
Phillip has only been photographed on a handful of occasions since last spring, having previously confessed he didn’t think he would ever work in television again.
Stepping out this week – who struggled with his mental health after public backlash to his confession – appeared smiley and relaxed as he shopped at a mini supermarket.
Phillip took a solo trip to browse for greeting cards and some household essentials, carrying his bag under his shoulder and beaming as he exited.
The 61-year-old wore casual attire, dressed in dark jeans, a grey hoodie, and a black puffer coat.
His sighting comes amid reports that Phillip is avoiding watching the new series of Dancing On Ice as he’s still ‘deeply bruised’ by his fallout with former co-star Holly Willoughby, 42.
Phillip – who presented on This Morning alongside Holly for over a decade – issued an apology to her last year when his affair was confirmed, with both parties maintaining that she knew nothing about it.
It was alleged that during an earlier private phone call when Phillip said he would be stepping down from the programme.
However, they have since unfollowed one another on social media and deleted posts featuring each other, with the once-best friends having had no public contact for months.
According to , 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.’
‘It would seem unlikely he is avidly tuning in to watch Holly’s return to TV,’ they added.
‘Phil wants to move on and live a quiet life away from the spotlight whilst he tries to rebuild.’
The insider added that while Phillip ‘offered his support’ after the alleged kidnap plot against Holly, which forced her to resign from This Morning too, they haven’t been in touch since.
‘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,’ they said.
Meanwhile, Holly is now back on screens after a break from the limelight in a bid to prioritise her loved ones.
She put on a brave face for her first hosting gig of 2024, with In For A Penny host Stephen by her side.
The Catchphrase frontman received glowing praise from viewers for the ‘energy’ he has brought to the skating competition, with fans loving the dynamic between him and Holly.
for her absence in her comeback and introduced her new co-host to the audience, asking DOI fans to give him a ‘huge welcome.’
She said: ‘To the greatest show on ice, and let’s hear it for the amazing cast of 2024. Let me just say a huge welcome to Stephen Mulhern.’
It remains to be seen whether Phillip will make a TV return of his own, but he is already one of the stars rumoured to be taking part in Celebrity Big Brother this March.
The has also reported he is being tipped for a job on national radio, with Britain’s largest commercial stations said to be ‘jostling to bring him in to woo new listeners from rivals, including BBC Radio 2’.
Dancing On Ice airs Sundays on ITV1 and ITVX.
