Phillip Schofield's face says it all as he breaks cover after confirming TV comeback

Phillip Schofield has been spotted out and about just hours after he confirmed his return to television, 16 months after he stepped down from all work due to his affair scandal

Phillip Schofield has broken his cover after confirming his TV return.

The former presenter has been off screens for 16 months after he admitted to having an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a much younger male colleague. Prior to admitting the affair, Schofield denied all knowledge.

Now, he's confirmed his return to the small screen on Channel 5's Cast Away. Previously, Schofield had vowed to stay out of the limelight but his return was teased by Channel 5 in a trailer, announcing one celebrity who was set to tell their story would appear on the programme.

He had previously teased fans, revealing an announcement would be made at 9am on Wednesday which sent the rumour mill into overdrive. But hours after confirming the bombshell news, Schofield broke his cover as he stepped out with his beloved dog in West London. The former presenter was seen wearing a grey sweater and matching jeans as he walked along the leafy suburb in the up-market area of the capital.

He displayed signs that he was pleased with the news being out as he flashed a huge grin while absorbing the autumnal breeze on his walk. Phillip is said to have been cautious about signing a new deal and was allegedly flooded with offers from telly bosses who had been eager to sign him up.

While filming the show, Phillip was stranded on a deserted island in Madagascar and filmed his experience himself. He is said to have massively thought about the scandal which saw him banished from every TV deal. Phillip had been the frontman of Dancing On Ice, This Morning, The British Soap Awards and Webuyanycar. Breaking his silence on the Cast Away gig, Phil took to Instagram to explain his reasons for doing the show - which he films himself - posting: "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."

In a statement, he added: "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. Maybe I'll be Robinson Crusoe, or maybe I'll just be Tom Hank’s Wilson and quietly drift off into the wild blue yonder!!" His career came tumbling down when he admitted to the affair but insists he didn't break any laws.