Strictly’s Craig Revel-Horwood defends Phillip Schofield and begs fans to ‘leave him alone’ after affair scandal

STRICTLY judge Craig Revel-Horwood has defended Phillip Schofield after his career-ending affair scandal.

Ex-This Morning host Phillip’s ITV career came to a messy end when he admitted to a secret fling with a much younger male colleague.

Not only has the scandal cost Phillip his job and his reputation, but it’s also made him a recluse.

Now choreographer Craig, 58, has urged people to leave him alone.

He told the : “I think Phillip Schofield is entitled to a private life.

“Yes, he lied to his colleagues, which is wrong, but he wanted to protect himself and his former lover.

“How many CEOs have extra-marital affairs with secretaries? A lot. It doesn’t make sense to me that it became quite as huge as it did. Leave him alone now, I say.”

In a recent interview with The Sun, Phillip revealed fears that he will be spat on in the street after confessing to his affair.

He said: “I do not know a time I will be able to walk out of the door.”

Phil also insisted he will never again use social media again.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of self-loathing, he told The Sun: “I do not know a time I will be able to walk out of the door.

“I don’t have any spirit. My friends tell me, ‘It will get better’. It won’t. Not now. Not this one.

“You watch all these layers of you slide away and slide away and slide away. The things that were dear to you. But I deserve it. It’s my fault. I deserve it.”

Fragile Phil, who is being supported by his beloved and devoted daughters Molly and Ruby, added that he is taking each day as it comes.