Phillip Schofield breaks silence on surprise TV return and reflects on tumultuous 18 months

Phillip Schofield has spoken out on his TV return after an explosive 18 months following his departure from This Morning.

Phillip Schofield has opened up about his television comeback, reflecting on a turbulent 18 months.

The former This Morning presenter, 62, is returning to television with a new exclusive three-part series for Channel 5 titled Cast Away.

In what promises to be an emotionally intense survival challenge, Phillip will share his personal journey. Viewers can catch the series over consecutive evenings starting on Sunday 29 September and concluding on Tuesday 1 October at 9pm, reports the Express.

On his return to TV, Phillip expressed: "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."

He further shared that the experience would strip him back to basics: "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!"

A synopsis for the show teases: "An authentic and intense physical and mental challenge, Phillip is left alone with only a handful of cameras to document his own experience. This solitary island existence presents an opportunity for Phillip to confront the challenges of total isolation, and the forces of nature and provides the time to battle within his own mind as he explores his own controversial story.

"While Phillip is alone on the island, the production team will be based 30 minutes off shore, prepared to intervene only in extreme emergencies. Throughout the process, Phillip's mental health and physical safety will be closely monitored."

Channel 5's Commissioning Editor Guy Davies shared his insights about the program, saying: "This isn't just a survival challenge, it's a chance for Phillip to look back over the last explosive 18 months of his life, and explore what happened. The audience will learn how he feels now about television and the future, as well as the past. And it will be Phillip Schofield as we have never seen him before unguarded, emotional and brutally honest."

Adding to this, Executive Producer and MD at Burning Bright Productions, Clive Tulloh said: "We are very excited about this powerful and emotional series. It is much watch TV. It gives a whole new meaning to survival."

Phillip announced on May 20, 2023, that he would be stepping down from hosting This Morning with Holly Willoughby, 43, after more than 20 years. Following his exit, he announced he had previously embarked on an "unwise but not illegal affair" with a younger male colleague.

Phillip Schofield: Cast Away airs from Sunday 29 September to Tuesday 1 October at 9pm on Channel 5.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.