Phillip Schofield, the veteran broadcaster, has announced his return to television with a new reality series, Channel 5’s Cast Away, 16 months after departing This Morning.
Schofield, 62, will be stranded on an island off Madagascar for 10 days, fending for himself without a camera crew or production team. He has documented his journey using a handheld camera, body camera, and sound pack.
In an Instagram post, Schofield revealed: “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.”
The three-part series, premiering on Monday at 21:00 BST, is expected to address his departure from This Morning and the affair that led to his exit. In May 2023, Schofield stepped down from the ITV show after over 20 years, following reports of a rift with co-presenter Holly Willoughby.
Schofield had admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger male colleague. Speaking to the BBC last June, he described the affair as “consensual” but his “fault” and “biggest, sorriest secret.”
A teaser for the show features Schofield walking on a beach, with the caption: “One celebrity on a desert island totally alone with one chance to finally tell his story.”
According to The Sun, Schofield had received multiple offers but chose this project to share his story “unedited and honest.” A friend stated that Schofield is “in no rush to come back to TV full-time yet” and remains “bruised,” taking time to weigh his options.
Channel 5 describes Cast Away as an “epic study of solitude and mental fortitude,” capturing Schofield’s raw experience and emotional toll. Previous participants in survival shows include Joanna Lumley and Ruby Wax.
