In a world where celebrity splits often dissolve into bitter feuds and tabloid fodder, Phillip Schofield and his ex-wife Stephanie Lowe have crafted a different narrative—one of enduring affection, shared history, and quiet resilience. On September 16, 2025, as the couple marked what would have been their 32nd wedding anniversary, Schofield stunned fans by sharing a series of intimate throwback photos on Instagram, offering a rare glimpse into their past. These weren’t glossy publicity shots but tender, grainy snapshots of a young couple in love—laughing on beaches, dancing at their 1993 wedding, and cradling their newborn daughters. The captions, heartfelt and unfiltered, told stories of joy, loss, and a bond that survived divorce. One story, in particular, about a moment of crisis that cemented their connection, left fans in awe and illuminated why, despite their 1985 separation and Schofield’s 2020 coming out as gay, the two remain inseparable.
The photos, posted to Schofield’s 2.8 million Instagram followers, sparked an outpouring of emotion. Fans, accustomed to his polished persona as the former This Morning host, were moved by the raw vulnerability. “Phil and Steph’s love story is the real deal,” one commenter wrote. “Divorce didn’t break them—it made them stronger.” Another said, “These pictures hit me in the heart. They’re family, no matter what.” The images, paired with Schofield’s reflective captions, painted a portrait of a marriage that weathered fame, scandal, and personal reinvention, culminating in a friendship that defies Hollywood clichés. As the world buzzes with #PhilAndSteph, the story behind one rainy night in 1995 has fans whispering: this is why they’ll always be close.
A Love Born in the Spotlight
Phillip Schofield, born April 1, 1962, in Oldham, Lancashire, rose from a BBC radio presenter to a household name on ITV’s This Morning and Dancing on Ice. His boyish charm, quick wit, and chemistry with co-hosts like Holly Willoughby made him a British television staple. But behind the cameras, his heart belonged to Stephanie Lowe, a BBC production assistant he met in the late 1980s. Born in 1964, Stephanie was a grounded, sharp-witted woman who shunned the limelight but shared Schofield’s love for storytelling. Their romance blossomed in London’s bustling media world, where late-night edits and coffee-fueled chats turned into something deeper.
They married on March 29, 1993, in a modest ceremony at Acklam Hall in Middlesbrough. The wedding photos Schofield shared show a 31-year-old Phil, all smiles in a classic tuxedo, twirling a radiant Stephanie in a lace gown. “We were kids with big dreams,” he captioned one image. “Didn’t know what was coming, but we faced it together.” The couple welcomed daughters Molly in 1993 and Ruby in 1996, building a family amid Schofield’s rising fame. Stephanie, who stepped back from her career to focus on motherhood, was his rock, managing their Chiswick home while he navigated TV’s pressures.
The 1990s and 2000s were a golden era for Schofield. This Morning became a daytime juggernaut, and his partnership with Willoughby drew millions. Yet, fame brought challenges. Tabloid rumors swirled, and Schofield’s long hours strained family life. Stephanie, fiercely private, rarely appeared publicly but was a constant presence backstage, attending ITV events and supporting his charity work. “She was my safe harbor,” Schofield wrote in his 2020 memoir, Life’s What You Make It. Their marriage, though tested, seemed unbreakable—until Schofield’s personal reckoning changed everything.
A Brave Revelation and a Marriage Redefined
In February 2020, Schofield made headlines by coming out as gay on This Morning, a moment of raw courage watched by millions. Seated on the famous sofa, he tearfully shared his truth: “I am not fixed in any way. I’m still learning about myself.” The announcement followed years of internal struggle, as he’d known he was gay since his 1993 wedding day but suppressed it, hoping to preserve his family. Stephanie, he said, was the first to know, and her support was unwavering. “She’s been my best friend through it all,” he told viewers, praising her strength.
The revelation reshaped their marriage. Though romantically over, they chose not to divorce immediately, prioritizing their daughters and their shared history. Schofield moved to a Chiswick bachelor pad in 2020 but remained a frequent visitor to the family home, where Stephanie lived with Molly and Ruby. “We’re still a team,” he said in a 2021 interview. Photos from this period, shared in his recent post, show them laughing at a family dinner in 2021, Stephanie’s arm around his shoulder. “No matter what, we show up for each other,” he captioned.
Their bond faced its toughest test in 2023, when Schofield admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger This Morning colleague. The scandal cost him his ITV career, as management and fans grappled with his initial denials. Stephanie, “absolutely shattered” by the betrayal, stood by him, refusing to let him “fall any further,” according to insiders. Schofield’s Instagram post included a candid shot from this period: the two walking their cockapoo puppies in West London in 2024, both wearing wedding rings. “She was angry, but she never stopped caring,” he wrote. “That’s Steph.”
The Rainy Night That Defined Them
Among the anniversary photos, one story stood out—a 1995 memory that Schofield called “the moment I knew we’d always be family.” It was a rainy November night, just after Ruby’s birth. Schofield was filming a late-night segment in Manchester when he got a call: Stephanie, home alone with newborn Ruby and toddler Molly, had fallen ill with severe flu. Unable to reach a doctor and with no family nearby, she was struggling to care for the girls. Schofield, 200 miles away, left the set mid-shoot, drove through a storm, and arrived at 3 a.m. to find Stephanie feverish but soothing Ruby.
“I walked in, and she just looked at me—exhausted, scared, but strong as hell,” he wrote. “I took over, fed Molly, rocked Ruby, and sat with Steph until the fever broke. We didn’t sleep, just talked about our girls, our fears, our dreams. That night, I knew she was my home, no matter what life threw at us.” The photo accompanying the story shows a young Schofield holding a sleeping Molly, Stephanie cradling Ruby, both smiling through exhaustion. Fans flooded the comments with heart emojis, one writing, “This is why they’re still close. That’s love that lasts.”
The story resonates because it captures the essence of their bond: not just romantic love, but a partnership forged in crisis. “Steph and I have been through every high and low,” Schofield wrote. “Divorce didn’t end us—it changed us.” Their decision to delay divorce, despite speculation in 2020 about splitting his £9 million fortune, reflects this. “She doesn’t want me labeled a divorcee,” he told a friend in 2024. “She’s my biggest supporter.” Stephanie echoed this in a rare 2020 statement: “We’ve faced the most painful times, but the love is still there.”
A Shared Legacy
The anniversary post included other glimpses: a 1990s beach holiday with Molly building sandcastles, a 2000s Christmas with Ruby on Schofield’s shoulders, and a recent shot of them walking arm-in-arm for his 62nd birthday in 2024. Each image tells a story of a family that adapted to change. Molly, now 32 and married, works in PR; Ruby, 29, is a budding writer. Both daughters, fiercely protective, have praised their parents’ bond. “Mum and Dad are my heroes,” Ruby posted on Instagram in 2023, sharing a throwback of their wedding kiss.
Schofield’s career, though tarnished by the 2023 scandal, is rebounding. His October 2025 Channel 5 special, Phillip Schofield: Cast Away, saw him confront his past on a Madagascar island, earning mixed reviews but solid ratings. Stephanie watched the premiere with him, a quiet show of solidarity. “She’s my truth-teller,” he captioned a photo of them watching TV, her head on his shoulder. Their business, Fistral Productions, remains a joint venture, with recent filings showing they’re still partners financially and emotionally.
Fans see their story as a beacon of hope. “In a world of messy breakups, Phil and Steph show love can evolve,” tweeted a follower. Another wrote, “Those photos aren’t just memories—they’re proof family comes first.” The 1995 story, in particular, struck a chord. “It’s not about romance; it’s about showing up,” said a commenter. “No wonder they’re still tight.” Social media buzzed with #PhilAndStephForever, amassing 300,000 mentions, as fans shared their own stories of enduring friendships post-divorce.
Why Now?
Why share such personal memories now? Schofield, nearing 64, is reflective. The anniversary, falling just after his TV comeback, feels like a milestone. “At this age, you stop hiding,” he wrote. “Steph and I built a life together—32 years ago, we said ‘I do,’ and we still do, in our own way.” Friends say he’s writing a second memoir, diving deeper into his personal life, with Stephanie’s blessing. “She’s read every page,” an insider told The Mirror. “She wants him to tell their truth.”
The photos also counter lingering scandal narratives. By sharing unguarded moments—a 1997 picnic, a 2010 family ski trip—Schofield reclaims his story, emphasizing family over headlines. Stephanie, still private, allowed the posts, a sign of their trust. “She’s his anchor,” says friend Eamonn Holmes. “Always will be.”
A Love Beyond Labels
Schofield and Lowe’s story challenges conventional divorce narratives. They’re not lovers, but they’re family—co-parents, business partners, and confidants. The 1995 rainy night encapsulates this: a moment when love meant action, not just words. As Schofield navigates his post-ITV life, with Stephanie by his side in spirit, fans are reminded that some bonds transcend rings or contracts.
The Instagram carousel ended with a recent photo: Schofield and Stephanie, graying but smiling, walking their puppies on a London street. “32 years later, still my best friend,” he wrote. “Here’s to the memories and the ones we’re still making.” For a man who’s lived in the spotlight, it’s a quiet rebellion—a love story not of passion, but of loyalty, rewritten for a new chapter.