Though television presenter Phillip Schofield stepped down from his This Morning hosting position earlier this year, viewers of last night's National Television Awards were surprised to see the 61 year old make an appearance on the big night.
Whilst his former co-stars Holly Willoughby, Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary appeared on the red carpet without him, following his exit from the show after admitting to an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague, Phillip was spotted on the big screen at the event.
In a VT played during a commemorational moment for the late, great TV star Paul O'Grady, Phillip's face was shown in the background.
In the clip, Tess Daly and husband Vernon Kay are presenting Paul with a prestigious award some years earlier, with former This Morning frontman Phillip looking on from the audience, having been up against and lost to the much-loved comedian in the prize category.
Prior to making an unexpected appearance on the night, Phillip – who earlier this week was axed from another project following his scandal – was spotted grabbing a bite to eat at The Roebuck pub in Chiswick, London.
He was stood outside the eatery whilst scrolling through his phone, before walking to an awaiting car and climbing inside.
This Morning were snubbed from last night's award ceremony, losing out in the Best Daytime show category to The Repair Shop after bagging the prize for the last 12 years.
Host Alison Hammond also narrowly missed out on an accolade, with Best Presenter veterans Ant and Dec once again claiming the enviable prize.
Catching up with OK! on the red carpet, Phillip's former co-host and former best pal Holly – whom he unfollowed on Instagram earlier in the day – spoke out on his scandal.
"I know there's been lots of reports about things and for me personally, you know, I don't want to speak on behalf of other people, but it's a world I honestly I don't recognise," she told us. "I think that we all look after each other is the honest truth".
She added: "This last year has been quite difficult at times. You know, if I'm really honest, it's been up and down. I think it's been a really difficult year for everybody but what's lovely is you find that people rally around you and, you know, the goodwill is there. People want things to move on".
Holly previously shared her "hurt" over Phillip's "lies" in an official statement, after he stepped down from his presenting post.
"You, me and all of us at This Morning gave our love and support to someone who was not telling the truth, who acted in a way that they themselves felt that they had to resign from ITV and step down from a career that they loved. That is a lot to process," she told viewers after the affair was revealed.
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