SCHOFE BACK TO TV PLAN

He chats with channel after pal Vanessa steps in | Publishers in bid to secure his 'compelling' tale

-  LAURA ARMSTRONG

PHILLIP Schofield is plotting his comeback with a possible new TV role and a lucrative book deal telling his "compelling" story.

The ex-This Morning favourite is said to have spoken to a senior TalkTV boss after mutual pal Vanessa Feltz contacted him to "test the waters".

And he has had an "informal" conversation with book publishers Hodder & Stoughton after they approached him recently.

Well-placed sources say Phil, 61, believes he may have weathered the storm which blew up in May and has begun "to consider his next steps".

His career lay in tatters after he admitted lying to ITV bosses and This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby about an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a colleague in his 20s.

TORRENT

The scandal opened the floodgates for a torrent of accusations that the NTA-winning show had become "toxic", with multiple complaints of bullying ignored by senior executives.

And news of Phil's comeback plans will infuriate ITV bosses bracing themselves for the findings of an external inquiry, due to conclude next month.

After his shock confession, Phil had conceded his career was over, saying it broke his heart "to talk about television in the past tense" - and he even feared leaving home in case he was spat at in the street.