Phillip Schofield Returns to TV with Survival Show Cast Away After 16-Month Hiatus
Phillip Schofield is set to return to television after a 16-month hiatus following his controversial exit from This Morning. The 62-year-old presenter will star in Channel 5’s new reality show, Cast Away, which sees him marooned on a remote island off Madagascar for 10 days.
The three-part series, airing next week, will follow Schofield as he attempts to survive with no food, no water, and no camera crew—filming his experience entirely on his own.
Schofield announced the project on Instagram, writing: "Now you know how I spent my summer! Alone for 10 days, no food, no water, no crew. My story of survival, both on a desert island and off it."
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about my life, what went right and what went wrong," he said. "This time, it’s just me—no phone, no comforts, no crew."
Show marks Schofields return to TV after affair announcement
The show marks Schofield’s first major appearance since stepping down from ITV’s This Morning in May 2023. His departure came amidst reports of a rift with co-presenter Holly Willoughby, followed by his public admission of an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague. Reflecting on the fallout, Schofield said he had “lost everything” and described the emotional toll it had taken on him.
Channel 5 describes Cast Away as an “epic study of solitude and mental fortitude,” offering viewers a raw and unedited insight into Schofield’s battle with isolation and the elements. The presenter, known for decades as a household name in British TV, hopes the series will offer him a chance to tell his story in his own way.
A friend of Schofield’s told The Sun that the show appealed to him because it provided “an honest and unfiltered way to share his journey.” The source added that Schofield remains “in no rush” to return to full-time television but saw this opportunity as a way to reconnect with audiences.
Schofield is expected to open up about both his professional and personal life throughout the series, offering a glimpse into his experiences since leaving the limelight. While his future in television remains uncertain, Cast Away will serve as a crucial step in his public comeback.
The series will air across three nights starting Monday at 9 pm on Channel 5, with viewers eager to see if this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the former This Morning star.
