As Holly Willoughby hit the red carpet ex-pal Phil relaxed with family

While Holly Willoughby was making her glamorous return to showbiz at the Better Man premiere in Leicester Square on Wednesday night, her ex-best pal Phillip Schofield was enjoying himself at a different kind of event.

The former This Morning presenter, 62, who stepped down from the ITV show last May following an 'unwise' affair with a junior colleague, spent the night at a special screening of Wicked with his family.

Phil's youngest daughter Ruby, 28, shared a video to her Instagram of the family cosied up in a cinema to watch the highly-anticipated new movie, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

And it appeared to be an exclusive screening, as a message on the screen read: 'Welcome Schofield family for your screening of Wicked.' 

The presenter's other daughter Molly, 30 was also in attendance, as was his wife Stephanie Lowe, with Ruby writing on her Instagram story: 'Best day ever'.

While Phillip was having a wholesome sing-along after vowing to say goodbye to his TV career, Holly oozed sophistication as she donned a plunging black midi-dress for the European premiere of Better Man. 

The former This Morning presenter, 43, was among the stars who stepped out for the movie premiere at Odeon Leicester Square, in London, on Wednesday.

She stunned for the premiere of the film - which tells Robbie Williams' life story - in a black velvet figure-hugging dress, complete with diamante lining and a plunging neckline.

Holly paired the chic dress with black stilettos and carried a small clutch bag and subtle silver drop earrings.

It is only her second red carpet appearance since her stalker Gavin Plumb was jailed for his kidnap, rape and murder plot, after she attended the National Television Awards in September.

Holly stepped down from presenting This Morning after 14 years on the show due to the terrifying kidnap threat and subsequently took time out from the spotlight.

It comes after she looked radiant as ever in her latest Instagram post as she donned a chic black and white striped sweater, which featured the word 'Blondie' stitched in bold red.

The stylish sweater is from the British knitwear and clothing brand Hades, which set Holly back £230. 

Meanwhile, Phillip's family have had a tough month as they attended his beloved mother Pat's funeral nearly four weeks after her death aged 88. 

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Patricia Schofield, who supported her son following his high-profile ITV exit in May 2023, was remembered in a service in her hometown of Newquay, Cornwall.

Mourners attending the 'celebration of her life' at St Michael's Church from 3pm on Friday afternoon were encouraged to 'dress brightly to reflect a life filled with love'.

Phillip, who was accompanied by his wife, Stephanie, and two daughters - Molly and Ruby - was seen carrying a wicker coffin topped with a beautiful floral display.

The broadcaster's brother, Timothy, is serving time in prison for child sex offences and was not present.

Holly is said to have ruled out any reconciliation with her former best friend, who reportedly sent her message on WhatsApp the day before news of his This Morning axe became public, claiming she had 'brought him down'.

Her former colleague and pal Phillip is also said to have called her 'The Witch' following the pair's departure from their presenting roles. 

Tensions between the pair reached further heights when Phil boldly declared there were 'three s**ts' at ITV on his Channel 5 show Cast Away last month.

Phil has also severed more ties within the TV industry as Holly's husband Dan Baldwin, who co-owns the production company Hungry Bear, responsible for shows such as Gladiators and Michael McIntyre's Big Show is 'furious' with Phil.

A source told MailOnline: 'The friendship between Holly and Phil is well and truly over, there is no way she is going to speak to him again after this.

'Holly's TV producer husband Dan is also furious about Phil's behaviour towards her.

'From rumours he refers to her as 'the Witch' in messages with friends to his barbed jibe about the 'three s***s in showbiz' in his Channel 5 show Cast Away, Dan has well and truly had enough.'

MailOnline contacted Holly's representatives at the time for comment.

Phillip left This Morning last May following months of speculation about a breakdown in his relationship with Holly.

He then admitted to having an affair with a junior colleague and left ITV altogether.

The pair used to be best friends, with their families even taking annual holidays together, but the bitter feud appears to have been reignited.

Phillip is said to have told Holly that she 'brought him down' before he resigned from This Morning.

The Daily Mirror reported that Phil sent the accusation in a WhatsApp message and said she should have publicly supported him following their fall out.

He then blamed her for not doing so, saying it then prompted him to stand down after 21 years on the ITV show.

Phillip, who made a TV comeback on Channel 5's Cast Away, had asked her for a public show of support such as a statement or picture together in the hope it would halt claims they had fallen out.

After he sent the WhatsApp, Holly reportedly replied she was in the dark about what was going on.

But friends of Phillip say he was so upset that he reported Holly to two senior ITV bosses. MailOnline contacted ITV for comment.