Phillip Schofield shows off dramatic weight loss and 'twiglet' legs ahead of TV return

Phillip Schofield has been working on his fitness ahead of his big TV comeback next week, after spending 10 days alone on a desert island in a bid to 'survive'.

TV host Phillip Schofield has offered his followers a sneak peek into his workout routine, including his "twiglet legs", ahead of his highly anticipated TV return next week.

The presenter is set to feature in the new Channel 5 series Cast Away, marking his first appearance since leaving ITV's This Morning in May 2023.

The star left the popular programme amidst revelations of a relationship with a significantly younger male colleague.

On Friday, the former ITV stalwart took to Instagram to share a photo of himself lifting weights, dressed in white shorts and a black T-shirt.

He captioned the image "Leg day, Putting back the 6kg I lost on the island with muscle... not carbs. #twiglets."

Schofield's increased activity on social media appears to signal his attempt to reclaim the limelight after a 16-month hiatus from showbiz, reports the Mirror.

On Wednesday, the father-of-two posted a trailer for his upcoming TV project, informing his Instagram followers: "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. Cast Away starts Monday on @channel5_tv and My5 at 9pm."

The upcoming three-part series titled Phillip Schofield: Cast Away, is set to chronicle esteemed TV personality Phillip Schofield's solitary fight for survival on an uninhabited island near Madagascar.

This marks his highly anticipated return after a two-year hiatus from the limelight.

The 62 year old became the subject of extensive media coverage when he took a step back from high-profile positions such as his presenting role on This Morning, following his admission in 2023 to a "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger male colleague.

Schofield, who during his break also severed ties with the Prince's Trust where he served as an ambassador, is poised to reappear on our televisions through this exhilarating Channel 5 adventure. On Instagram, he described the show as his "story of survival, both on a desert island and off it".

In the powerful trailer for Cast Away, he discloses: "I've been cast away on a desert island, completely on my own, all I have is camera gear, and I can say whatever I want about whatever I want. It's my chance to tell my side of my story."

He also poses a deeply reflective question, asking: "I know what I did was unwise, but is it enough to absolutely destroy someone?"

The teaser footage offers a sneak peek at Schofield braving the harsh weather in his quest for food. The show is scheduled to broadcast across three successive evenings, beginning on Monday and ending the following Wednesday.

Schofield commented: "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."

He added: "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 Hanks' Wilson and quietly drift off into the wild blue yonder."

Phillip Schofield: Cast Away airs on September 30 on Channel 5 from 9pm