Phillip Schofield looks in high spirits as he enjoys day out with wife Steph, daughters Molly and Ruby and group of friends in London

Phillip Schofield looked cheerful on Sunday, as he enjoyed a family day out in London with his wife, daughters and pals.

The former This Morning host, 61, smiled and laughed as he walked alongside wife, Stephanie, 59, and their two daughters Molly, 30, and Ruby, 27.

The family were surrounded by a large group of friends, of various ages, as they strolled down the South Bank to get lunch. 

Phillip donned a grey knitted jumper for the outing, over a collared shirt and blue skinny jeans, while adding a navy jacket.

Steph wrapped up in a pale blue coat and a patterned scarf as she held onto Ruby’s hand, who looked trendy in a brown padded jacket.

While eldest child Molly looked effortlessly stylish in a black trench coat with a pair of casual white trainers.

The group were spotted sharing their goodbyes after their meal and taking it in turns to hug each other before departing.

The family day out comes after it was revealed that the reason why Steph has not filed for divorce from Phillip was reportedly because ‘she still loves him’ and is his ‘support system’.

The couple separated in 2020 after he came out as gay, but she continued to stand by him and they did not legally divorce.

However, in May last year, Phillip admitted to having a relationship with a much younger man who worked with him on This Morning, and later lying about it.

The presenter described their romance as ‘unwise but not illegal’ and explained it took place during his nearly 30-year marriage.

Phillip resigned from both This Morning and ITV and said that he was ‘so very sorry’ to Steph for being unfaithful.

At the time, it was reported that Steph had been left ‘devastated’ by the revelation and angry that her husband had lied to her.

However, it has now been reported that she is choosing not to file for divorce because she does not want him to ‘fall any further’ then he already has, and despite everything, ‘the love is still very much there.’

Speaking to OK!, a source said: ‘Whatever Phillip has done behind Steph’s back, she still loves him. Even if the love they shared in the beginning of their marriage is different to what it is now, the love is still very much there.’

They continued: ‘Steph is, and always will be, Phillip’s support system. She hasn’t divorced him because she doesn’t want to see him fall any further.

‘Phil has caused his wife a lot of hurt in recent times. But there’s no denying, they still have a great friendship and share a lot of love.’

It comes after it was reported that Phillip was planning to spend Christmas with Steph and their two daughters last year.

The couple were also said to be on ‘better terms’ in December, seven months after Phillip’s bombshell confession, when a source told the Mail: ‘Steph is absolutely devastated, she had no idea of any of this. 

‘She is a trusting woman who has supported Phil for many, many years so this has been a real shock to her. Phil always positioned the man as a friend so that has prompted a fair bit of anger, to put it mildly.

‘It is literally the most heartbreaking thing that could have happened to Steph, it isn’t just the relationship but the deceit.’

However, Phillip continued to wear his wedding ring and waved it during an interview with BBC journalist Amol Rajan in June 2023.

He also insisted: ‘I had a wonderful marriage, have a wonderful marriage, although it’s not brilliant right now, with an incredibly supportive wife and two wonderful children.’

Phillip also characterised his relationship with his wife at the time as: ‘We are separated but we are very much together.’

He also opened up on the moment he confessed the truth to Steph about the secret affair, saying: ‘Oh my god, can you imagine how difficult that conversation was? 

‘Let’s just say it was an incredibly difficult conversation. The most difficult conversation I’ve ever had to have with her, and she is extremely disappointed because I lied to her as well. But she wished me well today, and so we’ll see.’

The couple married in March 1993 after meeting when Phillip worked in children’s television and Steph was a BBC production assistant. 

They held their wedding in Scotland’s Ackergill Tower in 1993 and celebrated their silver anniversary in 2018 – just two years before Phillip came out as gay.

In February 2020, the presenter told his Instagram followers about his sexuality, saying he had the support of his wife and daughters. 

‘You never know what’s going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing – and so you won’t know what has been consuming me for the last few years. 

‘With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.’ 

In a follow-up post, he spoke about how Stephanie had continued to support him after he came out. 

‘Steph has been incredible – I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met. My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort. 

‘Both mine and Steph’s entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support. Of course, they are worried about Steph, but I know they will scoop us both up.’

At the time, Steph issued a heartfelt statement in support of her husband and said she would support him in taking the ‘brave step’. 

She wrote: ‘We have had to face the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage. I love Phillip, as much today as I ever have, and always will.’