I’m a body language expert – secret sign gives away how Phillip Schofield is ‘angry with himself’
A BODY language expert has revealed the secret signs that show Phillip Schofield is “angry with himself”.
The star, 61, showed “signals of distress and anxiety” and furiously sucked on a vape for “self-comfort” during a bombshell interview with The Sun, Judi James claims.
Schofield sensationally left This Morning last week after admitting he had a relationship with a much younger male employee.
Schofield, who was married at the time, branded the relationship “unwise but not illegal”.
His admission catapulted the show into chaos – and has left his 40-year career in tatters.
In a bid to set the record straight, he sat down with The Sun and revealed he has apologised to Holly Willoughby for lying to her about his secret relationship – and explained how the affair began.
Now body language expert Judi James has told what his behaviour during the interview reveals about his state of mind.
Speaking to The Sun she said: “His slumped shoulders, shaking hands and his trait of looking up to the interviewer make him look submissive, exhausted and at times pleading.
“He shakes his head frequently to suggest disbelief and rejection and he sucks at his vape before massaging it between his hands as though it is his method of self-comfort.
“There is also a display of what looks like anger at himself. At one point he moves from a compliant, apologetic pose to one that resembles a figure of authority, telling himself off in front of the camera.”
In the interview, Schofield claims he had worked with the colleague for a short period and they had become friends.
He was seen using a Lost Mary vape throughout the interview.
‘DISTRESS AND ANXIETY’
Ms James continued: “Schofield describes them as ‘Mates’, placing strong, biting emphasis on that one word, shaking his head to add to the emphatic tone.
“His eyes to camera then become rounded and pleading.
“His signals of distress and anxiety increase as he sucks on his vape with his hands shaking.”
Ms James says Schofield’s gestures and expressions show he is feeling anger towards himself.
She explained: “When he says ‘I absolutely know I did a bad thing’ it comes with a chopping gesture of one hand as his head shakes, this time with anger more than sadness.
“His lower jaw juts and as he repeats ‘I know’ he performs a tongue-poke, which is often a signal of rejection and disgust.
“He wiggles his head as he says there is ‘No excuse’ and narrows one eye as he uses eye contact.”
Schofield maintains that his colleague was 20 years old when he first had any kind of sexual contact with the colleague.
And although the former TV star said he was ashamed, he insists he did not groom the runner.
Yesterday, it emerged that ITV boss Carolyn McCall has been called to face MPs amid the ongoing This Morning furore.
She has been called to give evidence to a parliamentary committee to answer questions about the broadcaster’s approach to safeguarding and complaint-handling following Phillip’s resignation.
The chief executive will face questions from MPs on the This Morning row at the Culture, Media and Sport committee on June 14.