Phillip Schofield is returning to the small screen for the Channel 5 special Cast Away (Image: Channel 5)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy Notice Phillip Schofield is making a stunning TV return after navigating through a scandalous affair that left fans reeling last year. The former This Morning host dropped the bombshell news and revealed he’s starring in a show that sees’ him survive on an island without water. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, 25 September, Phillip explained: “Now you know how I spent my Summer! Alone for 10 days, no food, no water, no crew.” He added: “My story of survival, both on a desert island and off it.” He added that the show, titled Cast Away, will begin on Monday on Channel 5 and the online streaming service My5 at 9pm. Phillip’s words follow revelations from a report detailing his secretive filming of the Channel 5 special on an isolated tropical in the Indian Ocean – marking his first time gracing the small screen in 16 months.
Phillip Schofield is seen living on a tropical island in his new show
(Image: Channel 5)
His solitary stay near Madagascar is said to reflect his own personal ‘exile’ post-admission of his affair, reports the Express. Phillip said: “This is most definitely a first for me and the only thing I felt compelled to do. It appealed to me on so many levels. I’ve recently had a lot of time to think about my life, what went right and what went wrong, but I’ve always had the safe arms of friends and family wrapped around me. This time it’s just me, no ‘phone, no comforts, no crew and only lip balm as a luxury. I’m looking forward to exploring the island, trying to tie knots to secure my shelter and foraging and fending for myself in the wild … with no help.” An insider told The Sun he’d been swamped with TV offers but had “steadfastly turned them all down” until the offer of Cast Away proved irresistible. The source revealed: “With 10 days to himself, no camera crews or production around, he shot some unbelievably raw footage – some of it makes for tough, emotional viewing.”
Phillip will be returning to mainstream TV after signing up for the new show
Adding intrigue, they mentioned: “This sort of challenge has always appealed to him though and after consulting with friends and family, he decided to go for it. It’s all been top secret, and has been an incredibly quick turnaround in order to keep the news quiet.” The source also said that during Phillip’s 42 years on TV, he’s learnt “from some great crews and teams on how to film and tell a story.” They added that he “wanted a chance to share his story, unedited and honest”, to allow viewers to see a different side to him. This marks Schofield’s first TV stint since he stepped back from the limelight in May 2023. An emotional Phillip confessed that he had contemplated suicide when news of his affair with a much younger co-worker came out – but thanks to the support of his daughters, he managed to start moving forward away from public scrutiny. Sign up to OK’s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free The scandal occurred while he was still wedded to his wife of nearly three decades, Stephanie Lowe. He offered her a heartfelt apology, and their daughter Molly now serves as his PR manager after choosing to leave the talent agency that once represented both her and her father. During a BBC interview at the time, Phillip disclosed: “My girls saved my life… they’ve been by my side every moment because they’re scared to let me out of their sight… they said to me, ‘Don’t you dare do this on our watch.’ We’re supposed to be looking after you’. “If my girls hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t be here, because I don’t see my future.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnPhillip SchofieldThis Morning
