As Phillip Schofield stages his TV comeback with Channel 5’s Cast Away, he’s revealed one of the major side-effects of being marooned on a desert island – a shocking amount of weight loss.
The former ITV presenter, 52, took an extended break from the spotlight – aside from an occasional social media post – after he left This Morning in May 2023 when the news broke that he’d had an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a younger colleague.
After months of speculation as to when he would return to screens, the TV personality confirmed that he is set to star in Channel 5 show Cast Away to tell his story.
Over the summer he was left on an island off Madagascar for ten days. In the announcement, he shared: ‘My story of survival, both on a desert island and off it. I know what I did was unwise, but is it enough to absolutely destroy someone?’
The career move has received a mixed response from ex-colleagues with Eamonn Holmes slamming Schofield amid an alleged feud. Meanwhile, Vanessa Feltz told Metro.co.uk that she would ‘like it to be a success.’
But with the cat out of the bag, Schofield is now offering a behind-the-scenes look at his time on Cast Away, including the fact he lost 13 pounds.
In a new Instagram story, he filmed himself lifting weights alongside the caption: ‘Leg day. Putting back the 6kg I lost on the island with muscle… not carbs.’ He also added: ‘#Twiglets’.
The whole video was set to the backdrop of Vanessa Williams’ Legs (Keep Dancing).
In a teaser for the show, he added: ‘Now you know how I spent my Summer! Alone for 10 days, no food, no water, no crew.’
And a press release delved further into what Phillip faced while filming.
‘An authentic and intense physical and mental challenge, Phillip is left alone with only a handful of cameras to document his own experience,’ the statement read.
‘This solitary island existence presents an opportunity for Phillip to confront the challenges of total isolation, the forces of nature and provides the time to battle within his own mind as he explores his own controversial story.’
And Schofield added: ‘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 also spoke about ‘foraging and fending’ for himself in ‘the wild’ like ‘Robinson Crusoe’ or ‘Tom Hanks’ Wilson’.
In a savage response to the news GB News presenter Holmes said: ‘Is this not just the chance for a narcissist to have more me time on screen?
‘I don’t want to know his story, I’m not interested in it. I know that he’s a celeb and people do seem to lap up any news, whether it’s good or bad, but I think it’s time maybe he stayed on the island.’
Presenter Jeremy Vine also questioned Schofield’s return and new platform, adding: ‘I don’t want to sound sanctimonious but there are lots of bad things that are not illegal.’
Only time will tell how audiences will react to the TV host telling his story, and what other ill-effects he encountered along the way.
Cast Away airs from Monday on Channel 5 and My5 at 9pm.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Vanessa Feltz issues warning to Phillip Schofield ahead of TV comeback
MORE : Phillip Schofield won’t find what he’s looking for on a deserted island
MORE : Phillip Schofield’s career and This Morning scandal timeline as he makes huge TV return
