'The hardest two weeks of our lives': Phillip Schofield returns to This Morning as he pays tribute to NHS for saving younger brother Tim's life

Phillip Schofield returned to his hosting duties on This Morning on Monday and paid tribute to the NHS for saving his brother Tim's life following a mystery incident.

The 53-year-old has been absent from the show for a fortnight after his 46-year-old sibling fell ill with a mystery ailment - and he took to Facebook to write about how thankful he was that he was on the mend.

He wrote: 'To the astonishing team at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and our remarkable emergency services... THANK YOU for saving my amazing brother. 

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He's back! Phillip Schofield returned to his hosting duties on This Morning on Monday and paid tribute to the NHS for saving his brother Tim's life following a mystery incident

Thankful: The 53-year-old has been absent from the show for a fortnight after his younger sibling fell ill and he took to Facebook to write about how thankful he was that he was on the mend

'The hardest 2 weeks of all our lives and you were there for all of us, as you tirelessly fixed him, you sensitively fixed us. 

'I've seen the astonishing work of our incredible NHS in action and I'm truly humbled by each and every one of you & what you do. THANK YOU xx.' 

Standing alongside fellow presenter Holly Willoughby, Phillip continued to heap praise on the NHS as he said the worst was now behind him and his family. 

Family first: Phillip's beloved brother, (right) is seven years younger than him - it is not known why he fell ill 

'It's been a very very tough couple of weeks but all sorted now. Getting there but that's all good. Long process. I should say, my goodness me, how lucky we are with the NHS. 

'When you read the papers you only ever see the bad stuff, you only see the complaints but I've seen the very very best and it's incredible. When you see it up close it is quite astonishing.' 

Clearly not done there, he also took to Twitter to reassert his feelings. 

He told his 3.78 million Twitter followers: 'Back home now & back to work tomorrow after 2 of the most difficult weeks our family have ever been through. My amazing bro is on the mend.

Grateful: Phillip also took to Twitter to express his thanks and relief on Sunday evening

'We will NEVER be able to fully put into words how grateful we are to the incredible team @UHBristolNHS I literally can't find the words.

'I have seen the absolute best of our astonishing NHS. Not just in the perfect care for him, but also for us, his shocked family.

'You all know who you are. So thank you, THANK YOU from the very bottom of all our hearts, and the heart that matters the most.. Tim's xxx.' 

Phillip said: 'To the astonishing team at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and our remarkable emergency services .. THANK YOU for saving my amazing brother'

Eamonn Holmes was drafted in to cover Phillip Schofield's slot while he was away.

Holly Willoughby announced the news at the time, saying: 'Sadly, Phillip can't be here this morning as his brother has been taken ill suddenly.

'We're sending them all lots of love and we're thinking of you. That means that Eamonn is here today. I am a very lucky girl today.'

While no further information is known about Tim's health, the Mirror is reporting that he suffers from Type 1 diabetes and Phillip is a passionate supporter of raising awareness of the condition. 

Get well soon: Viewers were quick to send messages of support to Phillip and his family 

Tim is seven years younger than the presenter and the site also says Phillip called his brother's diagnosis a 'shock' when he learned about it some time ago. His mother also has the condition. 

He once told Diabetes Advice: 'My brother was very young at the time of diagnosis, probably in his late teens. He had always been very healthy and active.

[As a family,] We are very good at coping. We don’t panic in a crisis, we don’t lose our heads and we try not to get too dramatic. We all sat down and we went through all the information that we had been given about the disorder.

We said "OK, that’s fine, we’ll do this together". We decided at that point that if we do this properly, life doesn’t need to change. We are all very active and you can live your lives without people even realising that you have Type 1.

Two weeks ago, fans of the show have been tweeted their well wishes to Phillip and his family.

One Twitter user wrote: '@Schofe hi Phil all the best hope your brother gets better soon sending love xxx.' 

While another added: '@Schofe best wishes go to your brother Tim for a swift recovery xxx.' 

A third said: '@Schofe I hope your brother gets well soon @EamonHolmes done an amazing job in place of you.' 

Adding: 'The hardest 2 weeks of all our lives and you were there for all of us, as you tirelessly fixed him, you sensitively fixed us'