Phillip Schofield will not watch Holly Willoughby 's return to This Morning on Monday, according to the disgraced presenter's close friends.
The married TV star, 61, lost his high-profile job on the daytime magazine show, his lucrative contract with ITV and his talent representation following the revelation of his affair with a younger male colleague.
Phillip presented This Morning with Holly, who did not know about the affair, for a final time on Thursday, May 18.
Before details of the affair emerged, he announced he was stepping down from the programme as reports of tension with Holly dominated the headlines.
After he confessed the affair he stepped down from the broadcaster before also being dropped by his talent agency YMU, which his daughter Molly works for and he has been with for 35 years.
Holly has been absent from our screens for the past two weeks due to a pre-arranged holiday before the fallout of her former co-host's affair ensued.
Should Holly step down from This Morning? Vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
On Monday, she will co-host This Morning alongside Josie Gibson and it is reported that the mum-of-three has decided to address the scandal in an "honest and open" way.
But Phillip will not be watching the show he presented for 21 years as it would be "triggering", according to his friends.
A pal told the Sun: "He physically could not watch — he's not there yet. Even listening to the opening credits would be hugely triggering.
"His family is being incredibly careful not to have the TV on when he’s in the room to ensure he doesn’t see anything.
"Of course he is aware Holly is back on air today and he absolutely wanted her to shine, and smash it."
Speaking in two emotional interviews, Phillip said that he had not watched a single episode of This Morning since his departure.
He also said he texted Holly at the time that the scandal broke but he has yet to receive a reply.
He previously said he had "lost everything" after admitting to the affair, and that the fallout had had a "catastrophic effect" on his mind during a broadcast interview with BBC's Amol Rajan.
Schofield, who said he was "utterly broken and ashamed" but denied he had "groomed" the younger man, praised his daughters Ruby and Molly for "guarding him".
Phillip and Holly presented the ITV show together for 13 years and also shared the hosting duties on other shows such as Dancing On Ice.
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123.
Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch.
*Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .
