Phillip Schofield has thanked fans for their support after returning to This Morning for the first time since his paedophile brother was convicted of sexual offences.

The presenter took a period of planned leave around the time his brother Timothy Schofield stood trial at Exeter Crown Court.

Timothy Schofield, 54, was convicted earlier this month of 11 sexual offences involving a child between October 2016 and October 2019.

His TV star older brother returned to This Morning on Monday alongside Rochelle Humes, as regular hosting partner Holly Willoughby was off due to illness.

Phillip Schofield, 61, told viewers: “I wanted to say that it is really lovely to be back. I have missed the show, everyone here, and also to you [the viewers].

“And I wanted to say thank you for all your kind messages and support, which were really appreciated, so thank you very much indeed. On with the show.”

Timothy Schofield, a civilian police worker from Bath, was found guilty of all charges with a jury majority of 10-2 after more than five-and-a-half hours of deliberation.

‘I no longer have a brother’

While giving evidence, the defendant told the court he watched pornography with the boy, whom he insisted was over the age of 16 at the time, and they masturbated while sitting apart – but denied performing sex acts on the teenager.

In a statement released by his lawyer after the guilty verdicts, Phillip Schofield said: “My overwhelming concern is and has always been for the wellbeing of the victim and his family. I hope that their privacy will now be respected.

“If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family.

“These are despicable crimes and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.”

‘A sickening series of offences’

Avon and Somerset Police said Timothy Schofield was suspended from duty in December 2021 while criminal proceedings progressed. Following his conviction, a misconduct hearing will be held.

Detective Inspector Keith Smith, the senior investigating officer, said the defendant had “exploited and abused the victim by carrying out a sickening series of offences over a significant period of time”.

He added: “Although the defendant does not work in a public-facing role, and the offences are not linked to his employment, we know the fact he works for the police will be a matter of public concern.”

Timothy Schofield is due to be sentenced on 19 May at Bristol Crown Court.