Phillip Schofield defended by I’m A Celebrity star as he ‘attends party with Ant and Dec’
Phillip Schofield has been supported by Darren Day three years after his scandal, with the singer revealing “it was a massive career to have taken away”.
Phillip has maintained a relatively low profile since his departure from This Morning in 2023. He left the show following controversy surrounding his private life.
The TV star confirmed he had an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a much younger, male colleague and following the news, external and internal reviews took place.
But now, his good pal Darren Day has opened up about their friendship, claiming he recently saw Phil at a party attended by Ant and Dec.
Darren Day on his ‘mate’ Phillip Schofield
Phillip and Darren go way back. In 1993, the pair appeared in a production of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. And according to Darren – who appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2002 – he has remained in touch with Philip ever since.
The pair were that good friends that they even enjoyed weekends away with their significant others. Darren claimed that when he dated actress Anna Friel, he and Anna headed on weekends away with Phillip and his wife Stephanie Lowe, saying “they had a good time”.
And in a recent interview with MailOnline Darren spoke about his friendship with Phillip.
‘It was a massive career to have taken away’
Singer Darren said that the “last saw Phil a few months ago at the house of a very good friend of mine, and Ant and Dec were there”.
Darren went on to note that they “all go back an awfully long way”, and criticised Phillip’s career ending because of the affair scandal.
Phil and I have been mates for a long time
In 2023, Phillip Schofield quit This Morning, and the broadcaster completely, following the news of his “unwise but not illegal” affair with 20-year-old male colleague.
“Phil and I have been mates for a long time,” Darren said.
He added: “It was a massive career to have taken away. I don’t know the ins and outs, but the Phil that I know is a good man. We were mates and had a lot of fun times together.”
ED! has contacted Ant and Dec’s representatives for comment.
Phillip on his new life after scandal
It comes after Phillip opened up all about his new life three years since the scandal.
The dad-of-two – who is living in a detached Victorian property in Chiswick – revealed he is “content” and “happy” being out of the spotlight.
“Life is really calm and drama-free now. I decided a while ago that I just wanted a quiet life with family, friends I can trust and my dog,” Phillip said in an email to MailOnline.
He added: “Therefore I keep my head down as much as possible. The past few years were, as you know, utterly brutal on so many levels. I came to terms with the fact that there was no way back.
“I’ve got used to my new life and I’m content with that and happy.”
Read more: Phillip Schofield gives Brits a ‘jumpscare’ as he fronts NHS campaign
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One development I am especially pleased with is the Maldives Summer Camp, which we host across both Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru resorts every year from mid-July to the end of August.
This year, we have brought together people from very different worlds: football with Arne Friedrich, Casey Stoney, Steve Sidwell and Jill Scott; martial arts with Angela Lee Pucci, Bruno Pucci, Leo Vieira, Guo Jing and Hurssh Verma; and conservation and adventure with Craig Foster, Ash Dykes and Dr. Phil Hosegood.
Once guests are here, the intention is for it not to feel like a formal camp, but something that becomes part of the rhythm of the holiday. A child might learn a new football drill in the morning, join a conservation session in the afternoon or hear from someone who has spent much of their life studying the ocean. Parents can take part in some moments, step back for others and watch their children connect with the island in a different way.
What we hope it adds is more variety, more substance and more shared conversation for families, without making the holiday feel overly scheduled. That balance is important to us.
What makes AyurMa interesting is that it goes well beyond the traditional idea of a spa. It brings together Ayurveda, yoga therapy, naturopathy, diagnostics, emotional wellbeing, nutrition, and planetary wellbeing in one place, so guests can approach wellness from several angles rather than through a single treatment.
PraMā is one element we believe will continue to resonate strongly because it gives guests a clearer starting point. It is our personalized health screening and diagnostic experience, designed to help guests better understand their physical, emotional and lifestyle needs before beginning a more tailored wellbeing journey. Many people arrive knowing they want to feel better, but they do not always know where to begin. PraMā helps bring structure to that conversation.
We are also seeing strong interest in Panchakarma, particularly from guests who are ready to stay longer and commit to a deeper reset. It is one of Ayurveda’s most established detoxification and rejuvenation programs, and at AyurMa it is approached with careful personalization and medical supervision. It is not a quick fix, which is precisely why it appeals to guests looking for something more meaningful.
Increasingly, people are coming to us not only for rest, but for sleep support, emotional balance, renewed energy and a better understanding of how to care for themselves after they leave the island. That is where AyurMa has become especially relevant.
One newer experience I am very fond of is our Vietnamese treetop dining experience, Tales from the Treetop Table. It brings together several things that feel very Landaa: food, nature, culture and a sense of discovery.
What I like about it is that it is not just a dining experience. Our Vietnamese team members are sharing flavors and traditions from home, while also showing guests how much of the meal begins right here in Landaa’s gardens. It connects cuisine with conservation in a very natural way, because when guests see where ingredients come from, they better understand the care behind them.
We are seeing growing demand for larger, multi-room accommodation, which reflects a broader shift in how our guests are traveling. Many return guests are now coming back with family members and friends, which is very encouraging for us. It means Landaa Giraavaru has become part of their shared story, not just a place they visited once.
Families and multi-generational travelers are naturally drawn to these larger villas because they offer both the intimacy of a private home and the full experience of a resort. Parents, grandparents, children and friends can gather for meals, spend time by the beach and pool, and then retreat into their own spaces when they want a quieter rhythm.
We see the same desire for togetherness and privacy at Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, which offers seven bedrooms across an entire private island. For some guests, that is the ultimate expression of what they are looking for: one island, one group and complete freedom to shape the experience around their own pace.
The Maldives is a global destination, so we are naturally affected by what happens across major air corridors, particularly through the Middle East. When there is uncertainty, the most important thing is to stay practical and close to our partners.
We work with airline partners, travel advisors and guests to understand the situation and help make the journey feel as smooth and reassuring as possible. Guests still want to travel, but they are making decisions with more care. They want flexibility, clear communication and confidence that once they arrive, everything will feel easy.
There may be periods where travelers find more attractive travel windows or value-added offers, especially outside peak season. For us, the focus is not on discounting the experience, but on giving guests the right reasons and reassurance to travel when the time feels right.
The apprenticeship program is one of the most meaningful initiatives Four Seasons Maldives has created. Over 25 years, it has helped more than 1,000 young Maldivians build careers in hospitality, and many have gone on to become leaders within our resorts and beyond.
From a general manager’s perspective, it has a very direct impact on the guest experience. Hospitality is always stronger when it is rooted in place. When guests are welcomed, guided and cared for by Maldivians who have grown through the program, they experience the destination through local knowledge, confidence, and pride.
The moments that stay with me are often very simple. A guest meets a young employee, learns that he or she began as an apprentice and then realizes that the person now helping shape their stay is part of a much larger story of education and opportunity. It adds another layer to the guest experience, because the service is no longer just polished. It is personal, local and connected to the future of the destination.
