Phillip Schofield takes his puppy Alfie for a walk after making a 'tepid' return to the limelight as he ventured back to Instagram following year-long hiatus

Phillip Schofield was spotted taking his new puppy Alfie for a walk despite the rainy weather as he stepped out on Monday afternoon.

The former This Morning presenter, 62, wrapped up in a black padded jacket and a Jack Wills hoodie with a pair of skinny jeans and Converse.

Phillip introduced his social media followers to his dog in a post that marked his return to social media for the first time in a year following a hiatus.

The ex-TV personality's inner circle of close celebrity friends and loved ones have been rallying around him in support.

Phillip had gone into hiding for nearly a year following his confession that he had an affair with a much younger colleague.

Phillip Schofield was spotted taking his new puppy Alfie for a walk despite the rainy weather as he stepped out on Monday afternoon

The former This Morning presenter, 62, wrapped up in a black padded jacket and a Jack Wills hoodie with a pair of skinny jeans and Converse

Phillip introduced his social media followers to his dog in a post that marked his return to social media for the first time in a year following a hiatus

But in the last month, almost a year after he quit the daytime show, he has started to slowly edge his way back into the public eye with a flurry of appearances.

He was snapped in London in early May looking relaxed as he laughed and joked with close pal Declan Donnelly and his wife Ali Astall.

He had reportedly just enjoyed a four-hour dinner with ITV's golden boy at a restaurant close to their homes when they were spotted in hysterics.

Phillip followed that up days later by ending his social media blackout of nearly a year by reigniting his Instagram with a sweet photo of Alfie watching Formula One.

Daughters Ruby, 27, and Molly, 30, as well as This Morning co-host Josie Gibson raced to like the post within minutes in a clear sign of support.

And his beloved daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father.

PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together.

Calling him a rare talent, Mr Borkowski said: 'He's testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving.'

The ex-TV personality's inner circle of close celebrity friends and loved ones have been rallying around him in support

Phillip had gone into hiding for nearly a year following his confession that he had an affair with a much younger colleague

Phillip followed that up days later by ending his social media blackout of nearly a year by reigniting his Instagram with a sweet photo of Alfie watching Formula One

His daughter Molly is now his publicist after she quit the talent agency that once represented her father

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Phillip told the BBC in an emotional interview last June the affair had finished his career and revealed that the fallout had left him feeling suicidal.

He told how his two daughters - Molly and Ruby - had saved his life and had 'guarded me and won't let me out of their sight'.

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Phillip Schofield can't contain his laughter as he steps out for a wholesome dinner with cheerful Declan Donnelly as he eyes up TV comeback

He admitted during the sit-down interview with Amol Rajan denied he had groomed the younger colleague, before telling critics: 'Do you want me to die? Because that's where I am.'

Phillip quit This Morning in a cloud of controversy having first lied to bosses about the 'unwise, but not illegal' relationship with the male runner 34 years his junior.

An external review led by barrister Jane Mulcahy KC concluded ITV had made 'considerable efforts' to find out the truth when rumours began to swirl about the relationship in 2019.

But the repeated denials meant the broadcaster was unable to uncover the truth until Schofield's admission.

The fallout from the scandal led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby.

After Phillip left the show in May, his co-host Holly Willoughby later quit in October due to an alleged kidnap plot.

The pair were officially replaced by Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March as the two took on the show full time after a series of guest presenters had been rotating the daytime slot.

PR guru Mark Borkowski says his tepid return to the public eye has come after a year away to disappear and get himself together

Calling him a rare talent, Mr Borkowski said: 'He's testing the waters. But audiences are very forgiving'

He told how his two daughters - Molly and Ruby - had saved his life and had 'guarded me and won't let me out of their sight#

It led to the breakdown of his friendship with Holly Willoughby. He sent his ex-BFF a text message for lying to her about his affair

Back in March friends of the star have said that he is 'quite certain' he will never work again.

One said: 'Phillip has been very, very down recently. He doesn't know how he is going to work again. It's devastating for him to realise but he also knows that there is not a lot he can do about it. He doesn't know who will take him. He knows there is no way back to ITV or the BBC.'

Sources close to the star say that his friends are trying to encourage him to think he can have a 'fulfilling life' away from showbusiness.

One said: 'Just because he may not be on telly again doesn't mean he can't enjoy his life. Phil isn't so sure though.'

The star has though been tipped for a job on national radio – his 'first love' – with Britain's largest commercial stations said to be jostling to bring him in to woo new listeners from rivals, including BBC Radio 2.