TELEVISION presenter Phillip Schofield's brother allegedly abused a teenage boy after becoming obsessed with him.

Timothy Schofield confessed to his celebrity brother about something he had done in conversations with him in 2019 and 2021, Exeter Crown Court was told.

The trial judge, Mrs Justice Cutts, spoke to the jury after the Crown opened its case and warned them that Phillip Schofield's celebrity status had "no relevance at all in this case".

She said:"This defendant in 2019 and 2021 had conversations with his brother.

"His brother is Phillip Schofield. He happens to be the well-known TV personality.

"I say ‘happens to be’ as that fact has no relevance at all in this case. He is not coming to this court to give evidence."

Civilian police worker Schofield, 54, from Bath, denies three charges of causing a child to watch sexual activity; three of sexual activity in the presence of a child; three of causing a child to engage in sexual activity; and two of sexual activity with a child.

Robin Shellard, prosecuting, told the jury that in September 2021 Schofield phoned his brother Phillip and told him "his head was a mess" and asking to come to see him.

He said the brothers were not "particularly close growing up" and Philip Schofield was seven years older.

Tim Schofield told Philip he was gay but had not told his wife or children.

Mr Shellard said Phillip Schofield described his younger brother as "agitated" when they met at Phillip's home in September 2021.

He said: "Phillip described him as very angry and distressed.

"The defendant also told his brother he was impotent.

"He then said his brother would hate him for what he was about to say, Philip said that he would not.”

Timothy Schofield said he and the teenage victim "had their time together and that last year they had watched porn" and committed a sexual act together.

A shocked Philip Schofield replied: "What did you just say?"

His brother said it had happened last year "just once" and Phillip said:"That should never happen again."

Mr Shellard said: "This is a case about the obsessive sexual interest of the defendant in the complainant and the subsequent sexual abuse of that teenage boy over the years."

The jury heard that Timothy Schofield encouraged the boy to watch pornography with him and carry out sexual acts together.

The most serious charge involved a sexual act with the teenager.

The court was told some of the pornography showed heterosexual sex, other sexual material with scenes of violence and some involving animals.

The jury was told the offences were carried out in the Bristol and south Gloucestershire areas between 2016 and 2019.

By August 2021 the victim had a girlfriend and confronted Schofield and told him the abuse had to stop.

Mr Shellard said Timothy Schofield had told the complainant he did not "work properly" properly sexually due to illness and medication he was taking.

He said the abuse came to light after the victim spoke to counsellors and the police became involved.

The boy described Timothy Schofield as "evil and vile" with a "terrible temper".

Police examined Timothy Schofield's laptops and phone and the jury heard they found he carried out searches for "young teen box set" and "gay teen porn torrents".

The prosecution claimed Schofield had a sexual interest in boys and young teenage boys and was "sexually obsessed" with the victim.

The trial continues.