When Phillip Schofield admitted he’d had an affair with a younger male colleague at ITV, to some it may have seemed inevitable that his wife of 30 years, Stephanie Lowe, would promptly serve divorce papers.
But six months later, a legal separation still does not appear to be on the cards – and a source has told new the reason for Steph’s reluctance to “sign on the dotted line”.
“Whatever Phillip has done behind Steph’s back, she still loves him,” our source said.
Phillip, 61, has himself confirmed that the couple have no plans to divorce, declaring in an emotional interview during the fallout from the exposé, “I have a wonderful marriage." He also thanked Steph for being an “incredibly supportive wife”.
The former This Morning host and Steph separated when he publicly came out as gay in 2020. But Phillip was pictured wearing his wedding ring when he visited his elderly mum Pat, 87, in Cornwall in the summer.
Last week there were news reports that he planned to spend Christmas with his estranged wife and their two daughters, Molly, 30, and Ruby, 27. It’s another sign of their seemingly unbreakable bond and proof that unconventional marriages can work.
“Even if the love they shared in the beginning of their marriage is different to what it is now, the love is still very much there,” our source said. “She’s stuck by him through everything, while others deserted him.”
Those “others” include Phillip’s This Morning co-presenter Holly Willoughby, who said she felt “let down” by his behaviour over his affair when she made her first screen appearance after he quit the show.
Discussing his decision to speak about his sexuality, Phillip praised his wife for supporting him, saying, “Steph has been incredible – I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met.”
Steph repaid his compliment, saying, “I love Phillip, as much today as I ever have, and always will.”
While there was initially speculation that Steph wouldn’t divorce Phillip until they had both met someone else, it is now evident that, although they briefly drifted apart over the summer, she is still his closest confidante and will not turn her back on him.
“Steph is, and always will be, Phillip’s support system,” our source said. “She hasn’t divorced him because she doesn’t want to see him fall any further.
“It’s telling that they will spend Christmas together again as a family. He is the father of her daughters, after all, and the girls love him dearly.”
Phillip describes the unwavering support he has received from his daughters in recent months as “unbelievable”, adding that “my greatest assets are my girls”.
The family home in Henley-on-Thames is a stylish mix of modern and rustic and over the years has featured many times in Phillip’s social media posts. He also owns a gorgeous property in Cornwall.
For Steph, 59, welcoming her husband back into the fold for the holiday festivities is something that may have once seemed highly unlikely, given how “very angry” she was over his affair.
Admitting that breaking the news to Steph was one of the most difficult aspects of the situation, the presenter said in an interview with The Sun, “She got off a plane and I phoned her up and texted, saying, ‘I need to talk to you.’
“She called back and I told her. She was very, very angry.” He went on to say, “I am so very, very sorry for having been unfaithful to my wife.”
Steph met Phillip in the early days of his career when she was a BBC TV production assistant. He later revealed that he proposed to her in the nude one morning after hiding a ring inside her advent calendar and then “hopped out of bed, starkers, and got down on one knee.”
The couple were married in 1993 in a fairy-tale wedding at the 15th century castle Ackergill Tower in the far north of Scotland.
Steph has yet to break her silence on the betrayal, but actions often speak louder than words, and the message that her kindness communicates is one of love, patience and loyalty.
“Phil has caused his wife a lot of hurt in recent times,” commented our source, “but there’s no denying, they still have a great friendship and share a lot of love.”
It has been a turbulent year for Phillip. He was dropped by his management after 35 years and in May saw his brother Timothy jailed for 12 years for sexual offences involving a child. His relationship with “best friend” Holly has cooled and he has confessed that his time in the spotlight could well be over.
The love shown by his wife Steph could be the healing gesture he needs right now.
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