Phillip Schofield is making a comeback to the spotlight with new TV show Cast Away.
Filming in secret, the 62-year-old presenter was totally alone when he headed to a secluded island off the coast of Madagascar.
It marked his first TV job since the former ITV star resigned from This Morning when his affair with a younger male colleague came to light in May last year.
Schofield has teased an announcement at 9am on Wednesday on his Instagram stories. He said: “Watch this space.” Here is everything you need to know about Schofield’s comeback.
When can you watch Cast Away?
Schofield’s return to TV will play out on our screens on Channel 5 from Monday next week. It is a three-part mini series. So far, only a teaser has been released on social media to drum up excitement around the new TV show.
In the drone footage, Schofield could be seen walking across the sandy shores barefoot. It teased: “Coming Soon to Channel 5… A celebrity marooned on an uninhabited tropical island off the coast of Madagascar for 10 days is challenged with total isolation, the forces of nature, and the battle within their own mind.”
Why has Phillip Schofield filmed Cast Away?
Cast Away has given Schofield the “one chance” to tell his side of the story in the way he wants to. The Channel 5 star was marooned on the tropical island for 10 days. It was reported there were no camera crews or production staff with him.
Schofield is said to have filmed the “raw” footage himself which at times is believed to be “tough” and “emotional” to watch, according to The Sun. The newspaper reported that there was a quick turnaround to keep the news under wraps.
It has been claimed that Schofield has turned down many big money deals before he decided to make his TV comeback with Channel 5.
Read more: Phillip Schofield’s next move is ‘make-or-break’ for his career future
A TV insider told the publication: “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. But he wanted a chance to share his story, unedited and honest, and let viewers see another side to him.
“Whilst this is a massive coup for Channel 5, and huge for Phillip, he’s in no rush to come back to TV full-time yet; he remains very bruised, and is just taking some time now to weigh things up before he makes any major decisions.”
Schofield has been plotting a comeback for some time though as he has been testing the water with Instagram posts and a recent public appearance. There had even been talk of Schofield signing up to I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here 2024 after he was pictured laughing with Declan Donnelly. His return to Instagram started out with pictures of his dog Alfie in May this year.
One notable sign of Schofield’s return to the public eye was when the former This Morning presenter was seen at the British Grand Prix arriving by helicopter as he enjoyed a day out with his family. His daughter Molly has partly been behind his comeback. She quit her role at talent agency YMU to then represent her dad.
Entertainment PR expert Lynn Carratt, from Press Box, previously Yahoo: “Whatever path he chooses, he knows it will be a make-or-break situation for his future career.” She added: “Phillip Schofield seems to believe that now is the time for him to seek redemption from the British public and win back their favour. With over 40 years of experience in TV, it’s his expertise, it’s all he’s ever done and I can imagine he feels at a loss.”
Why did Phillip Schofield leave This Morning?
Schofield stepped down from his high-profile job on This Morning after 21 years in May last year. By his admission, the TV star had an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague at ITV. At the time, it was rumoured he had a fall out with his This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby who now too has left This Morning.
Initially Schofield thought his TV career was over following the scandal. “I have to talk about television in the past tense, which breaks my heart,” he told The BBC in June last year. “I have lost everything.”
“What am I going to do with my days?” He continued. “I see nothing ahead of me but blackness, and sadness, and regret, and remorse, and guilt. I did something very wrong, and then I lied about it consistently.”
