Phillip Schofield sparks horror with filth-covered dressing gown as he returns to Instagram

Phillip Schofield returned to social media today - in the filthiest dressing gown imaginable.

The TV star, famous for fronting This Morning with Holly Willoughby, has rarely been seen on Instagram since admitting lying about having an "unwise but not illegal" relationship with a younger man.

He left the show with immediate effect a little over a year ago and has not been seen on TV since, though he has occasionally popped up on Instagram to share pictures of his dog.

That's what he did today while This Morning was on air. He posted from his garden as his dog dug about in a vast muddy puddle before turning towards him while the presenter said in alarm: "Alfie! Alfie!"

Phillip then posted a picture of him in his dressing gown covered in mud alongside the letters "FFS" before showing viewers his washing machine room with the all-white garment waiting to be cleaned.

As OK revealed last month there are thought to be moves afoot to get the star back on TV - including on one of the top shows broadcast by his former employers at ITV.

Despite retreating from the public, Phillip, who presented This Morning for 21 years, is reportedly keen to return to the small screen to tell his side of the scandal.

A source explained: "There have been talks that they're keen to get him on I'm A Celeb. Phillip's very much looking for a TV comeback and to do it in the right way. He's always got on with both Ant and Dec, they've had a long friendship. The boys are making sure he knows they're there for him and asking if he needs anything."

Phillip has been away from screens after admitting in May last year: "I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.”

He added: “Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship.

“That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.”