Phillip Schofield faces 'disaster' as storm hits just hours into new TV show
Phillip Schofield faces potential "disaster" just hours into his new TV series when a harsh storm hits. A newly released clip from Phillip Schofield: Cast Away shows the former This Morning host alone with only a few cameras to document his experience on a tropical island off the coast of Madagascar.
In the first episode, set to air on Channel 5 next week, Phillip prepares to settle down for the night after a tough day on the island. He’s spent the day setting up camp, building a fire, and searching for food. After the exhausting work, he looks forward to a much-needed rest, but the weather takes a sudden turn.
"I want to catch a fish that will fill me up. I’m literally going to sleep holding this. Anyway, there we go, and I’ll see you tomorrow," Phillip remarks. However, just hours later, a violent storm hits, threatening to cut his adventure short.
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As strong winds tear through his camp, Phillip exclaims: "Bloody hell. Disaster has struck. The wind is howling through everything, it’s ripped out the front of the camp. This thing is about to tear itself apart, and there’s still a chance it will. I didn’t see that coming."
The series, described by Channel 5 as an "authentic and intense physical and mental challenge," leaves Phillip alone with only a small number of cameras to capture his journey, reports the Mirror.
Although isolated on the island, a production team remains stationed 30 minutes offshore, ready to step in only in case of an extreme emergency. Both his mental health and physical safety are closely monitored as the series progresses.
In a statement, Phillip shared: "This is definitely a first for me, and something I felt compelled to do. It appeals to me on so many levels. Lately, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my life, the highs and the lows, but I’ve always had the support of friends and family. This time, it’s just me—no phone, no comforts, no crew, and only lip balm as a luxury. I’m excited to explore the island, try to secure my shelter, and fend for myself in the wild, completely unaided. Maybe I’ll be Robinson Crusoe, or maybe I’ll just be like Tom Hanks' Wilson, quietly drifting off into the unknown."
The 2000 film Cast Away featured Tom Hanks as Chuck Noland, a man stranded on a deserted island in the Pacific Ocean with only a volleyball for company. Similarly, Robinson Crusoe is the classic tale of a shipwrecked sailor stranded on an island for decades.
The three-part series will air from Monday to Wednesday at 9pm on Channel 5. Channel 5’s commissioning editor, Guy Davies, commented: "This isn’t just a survival challenge—it’s a chance for Phillip to reflect on the explosive past 18 months of his life and process everything that happened. The audience will hear his thoughts on television, the future, and his past. It’s Phillip as we’ve never seen him before—unguarded, emotional, and brutally honest."
Phillip Schofield stepped down from This Morning 16 months ago after admitting to an "unwise, but not illegal" affair with a junior male colleague. At the time, he declared his TV career was over, but this new series marks an attempt to rebuild his presence on screen.
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