Phillip Schofield shares workout video from 'leg day' at home gym & vows to regain 6kg he lost on Channel 5's Cast Away

09/27/2024 10:38 AM

PHILLIP Schofield shared his determination to gain muscle after losing 6kg during his TV comeback show Cast Away.

The 62-year-old broadcaster has secretly filmed a Channel 5 special, Cast Away, which sees him marooned on a tropical island for 10 days.

Phillip will be seen fending for himself on an island off Madagascar, filming himself as he battles for survival – and emotionally discussing his past two years from hell.

He announced the news on Instagram as he shared two photos of him looking dishevelled from his time on the desert island.

Phillip wrote: “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 & My5 at 9pm.”

Phillip recently shared a new video to his Instagram stories of him working out in his home gym.

He captioned the video: “Leg day. Putting back the 6kg I lost on the island with muscle… not carbs.”

Phillip said about his TV return: "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.

“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 insider source told The Sun: “Over the past few months Phil has had quite a few offers for various things – but has steadfastly turned them all down.

“This sort of challenge has always appealed to him though and after consulting with friends and family, he decided to go for it.

“It’s all been top secret, and has been an incredibly quick turnaround in order to keep the news quiet.

“After 42 years on telly, Phillip has learnt from some great crews and teams on how to film and tell a story.

“With 10 days to himself, no camera crews or production around, he shot some unbelievably raw footage – some of it makes for tough, emotional viewing.

“But he wanted a chance to share his story, unedited and honest, and let viewers see another side to him.

“Whilst this is a massive coup for Channel 5, and huge for Phillip, he’s in no rush to come back to TV full-time yet; he remains very bruised, and is just taking some time now to weigh things up before he makes any major decisions.”

Channel 5’s official teaser for the show describes it as:  “A celebrity marooned on an uninhabited tropical island for 10 days is challenged with total isolation, the forces of nature and the battle within his own mind.”

Phillip was fired from This Morning back in May 2023 after an affair with a younger colleague.

He lost his friendship with former co-host Holly Willoughby, which was already strained in the run-up to the scandal being exposed, and lost his hosting gig on Dancing On Ice.

He was replaced by Stephen Mulhern on the talent show, while Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley took over from Holly and Phil on the long-running daytime juggernaut.

Phil returned to social media after a year-long silence in May this year.

Cast Away will air on Monday 30th September on Channel 5 at 9pm.