Phillip Schofield has hit back at the reports he’s been left “glum” and “downcast” amid former friend and co-host Holly Willoughby’s Netflix debut.

Willoughby, 43, stepped out earlier this week as she attended the premiere of her new Netflix series, Celebrity Bear Hunt.

The series, which Willoughby co-hosts with survivalist Bear Grylls, pits a group of celebs against the wilderness as they try and escape the clutches of the 50-year-old former SAS trooper.

The role is a significant one for Willoughby as it marks a shift away from the daily rigours of ITV and propels her onto the global stage thanks to Netflix.

While she still presents Dancing on Ice on Sunday evenings, Willoughby quit This Morning back in October 2023 amid a harrowing kidnap and murder plot against her devised by the now-jailed Gavin Plumb.

But while Willoughby was all smiles alongside Grylls and the celebrity line-up at the lavish London premiere this week, her former co-star Schofield stayed home.

Holly Willoughby and the cast of Celebrity Bear Hunt at the London Premiere

PA

In fact, Schofield was spotted by paparazzi supposedly looking “glum” while fulfilling household chores – such as taking out the bins.

Schofield was spotted sporting a hoodie and denim jeans, a stark contrast to the elegant £1,800 number Willoughby wore in the capital for her lavish Celebrity Bear Hunt event.

But after the photos emerged in the news cycle and claims that Schofield was “glum” arose, the former This Morning host decided to hit back.

The 62-year-old host shared a photo taken by paparazzi outside his home with a sarcastic remark regarding the subsequent coverage.

Holly Willoughby celebrated Bear Hunt’s success on Netflix

INSTAGRAM

Alongside the photo, he penned: “Phillip Schofield ‘looks glum’…. whilst taking his bins out,” followed by a series of laughing emojis.

Taking aim at one of the publications who published the photos, Schofield continued: “Dammit!! Forgot to wear the rictus grin for you @dailymail,” again followed by a laughing emoji.

He signed off the loaded response to the press with a pair of red-lip emojis and the simple phrase: “Mwah.”

Schofield’s rare return to social media comes just a few months after he marked his own comeback to TV screens thanks to Channel 5’s Cast Away.

Last year, Schofield was marooned on a desert island off the coast of Madagascar where he recorded himself reflecting on his career and subsequent cancellation following an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger ITV colleague.

Meanwhile, Willoughby has been celebrating the success of Celebrity Bear Hunt just days after it landed on Netflix.

Phillip Schofield returned to screens last year in Channel 5’s Cast Away

CHANNEL 5

On Instagram, Willoughby revealed the series, which features the likes of Steph McGovern, Shirley Ballas and Big Zuu, has already shot to the top of the UK streaming charts.

“Top 10 TV programmes in the UK today! Thank you so much for watching…” Willoughby penned alongside a love heart emoji.

In the image, Willoughby snapped her TV screen with Celebrity Bear Hunt placed ahead of the likes of The Night Agent and American Manhunt in the charts.