September 27th 2024.
After being out of the spotlight for 16 months, Phillip Schofield has finally made his highly-anticipated TV comeback. However, it seems that this comeback is filled with bitter jabs at his past in the television industry – including one directed at his former co-host and friend, Holly Willoughby.
The first episode of his new show, Cast Away, airs on Monday and marks Schofield's first time in front of the camera since his emotional interview with BBC's Amol Rajan where he apologized for lying about having an affair with a younger colleague while hosting This Morning.
The show follows Schofield as he spends 10 days alone on a deserted island off the coast of Madagascar with only a lip balm and fishing rod for company. With his TV career seemingly over and the public's opinion of him at an all-time low, he has nothing left to lose.
In the first episode, he doesn't hold back. He talks about his strained relationship with his family, his anger towards ITV, his struggles with mental health, and most notably, his former friendship with Holly. Here are the key moments from the episode that stand out:
Phil's not-so-subtle dig at Holly
During a dinner table conversation with his family, Phil can be heard mocking Holly's famous line, "Are you okay?" which she said during her public statement after their fallout in May 2023. It's clear that their friendship has been damaged beyond repair.
The moment he got 'so close' to suicide
Schofield opens up about the darkest moment of his life – the day his affair was exposed to the public. He reveals that he had become so unwell that he had even considered taking his own life. He credits his daughter Molly for saving him and encourages others to seek help when they need it.
Phillip turned down the chance to be hospitalized
Despite being on the brink of suicide, Schofield reveals that he turned down the opportunity to be hospitalized because he feared the public finding out. However, he eventually had to put his own health aside to take care of his critically ill mother.
Phillip's daughter Molly breaks her silence
Molly, who is also Schofield's publicist, is prominently featured in the first episode. She speaks about the challenges the family faced after her father came out as gay on national television and the impact of the public scandal. However, despite it all, she considers herself "the luckiest person ever" to have such a supportive family.
Phil's desperately sad experience of coming out
Unlike most LGBTQ+ individuals, Schofield's coming out was not a moment of celebration. He came out on his own show, in an episode he wasn't even hosting, and broke down in the arms of Holly. Since then, his love life has been under intense scrutiny and he admits that coming out later in life has caused him more pain than happiness.
Don't expect to see Phil on I'm A Celebrity
In a clear jab at his former employer, ITV, Schofield expresses his bitterness towards the network and states that he would never work with them again. When asked about rumors of him joining another popular reality show, he makes it clear that he has no interest in working for certain channels or people.
Cast Away: Phillip Schofield airs Monday at 9pm on Channel 5.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there is support available. You can reach out to the Samaritans 24-hour helpline, contact PAPYRUS, or visit their websites for more information. Remember, it's important to seek help and support when you need it.
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