Channel 5 unveils Cast Away with Phillip Schofield - Inside the new survival challenge

Channel 5's upcoming show, Cast Away, has already caused a stir nationwide with the news that Phillip Schofield will be making his television return on the programme. The former This Morning host is part of the cast for the three-episode series.

The premise of the show involves a celebrity being left stranded on a desert island off the coast of Madagascar for a period of 10 days. They are tasked with documenting their own experiences using various cameras.

The synopsis further explains: "The famous face has to confront the challenges of total isolation, the forces of nature, and the battle within their own mind."

It seems the series takes its name from the renowned survival drama film featuring Tom Hanks.

The film portrays a man utilising every skill he possesses to endure the mental and physical torment of solitude.

The three episodes will be broadcast back-to-back over three days - Monday, September 30, Tuesday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 2, reports the Mirror.

Each episode commences at 9pm and lasts an hour, concluding at 10pm.

Schofield, now 62, hasn't been seen on television since May 2023 after confessing to an "unwise but not illegal affair" with a younger colleague.

However, his return to social media earlier this year led many to speculate that he would gradually re-emerge in the public eye.

In the programme, viewers will see a dishevelled Schofield stranded on a tropical island for 10 days.

Phillip Schofield, the TV legend, is set to bare his soul in a new show where he'll discuss the tumultuous past two years. Stranded in Madagascar with no crew, he will document his survival as well as confront the scandal that has surrounded him.

An insider disclosed to The Sun: "Over the past few months Phil has had quite a few offers for various things - but has steadfastly turned them all down."

"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."

Furthermore, they 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."

"But he wanted a chance to share his story, unedited and honest, and let viewers see another side to him."

A teaser for the dramatic series shows Phillip trekking across an isolated beach, donned in a white shirt and beige shorts, with captions hinting at an intimate revelation of his experiences: "One celebrity. On a desert island. Totally alone. With one chance to finally tell his story."

Cast Away starts on Channel 5 on Monday, September 30 at 9pm