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PHIL: I'M BACK
Phillip Schofield sensationally signs with Channel 5 for ‘top secret’ new show 16 months after being dumped by ITV
Phil was thought to be plotting his TV comeback after being spotted with a huge TV presenter in May
PHILLIP Schofield is making his TV comeback - 16 months after being axed from This Morning.
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.
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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.
Last night a source said: "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.
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"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."
Joanna Lumley and Ruby Wax both previously travelled to a remote island off Madagascar to film their survival journeys.
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Joanna famously made shoes out of her bra in the BBC series Girl Friday in 1994 whilst last year Ruby filmed the Channel 5 version.
Phillip was given a handheld camera, isolated sound pack and wearable body cameras for his one-man documentary.
The three part series - which was teased by Chanel 5 over the weekend, showing just a clip of the star's head and his tanned legs - airs on Monday night.
Phillip Schofield appears to be on comeback trail as he’s seen laughing with Declan Donnelly
On its social media pages, Channel 5 posted a short clip of Phillip walking across a remote beach with the words: "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."
Fans have been guessing who they think it is with names including Keir Starmer, Jermaine Jenas, Ben Fogle, Joe Swash and James Corden all mooted.
'Watch this space'
It will be the first time the presenter - who teased a "watch this space" story to his three million Instagram fans last night - has been seen on mainstream television since he was fired from ITV's This Morning.
Holly Willoughby later quit the show, leaving the daytime show facing its biggest crisis in 35 years.
Phillip's sacking followed a brief affair with a younger member of staff which he owned up to, prompting an external review of the culture at the programme, which eventually cleared ITV of any wrongdoing.
With 10 days to himself, no camera crews or production around, he shot some unbelievably raw footage
A source
The backlash saw him lose all his TV work, including Dancing On Ice, and he fell out with one-time best friend, Holly, who did not stand by him once the scandal broke.
He also came off all social media - but rejoined 18 weeks ago with a photo of his puppy, Alfie.
In an interview with The Sun last June, Phillip said he would "die sorry" for his affair, but firmly denied there had been any abuse of power.
He added: “I am deeply sorry. There are accusations of all sorts of things. It never came across that way (an abuse of power) because we’d become mates.
“But of course I understand that there will be a massive judgement, but bearing in mind, I have never exercised that anywhere else.
“I have massive guilt, and regret. I’ve made a mistake, I’ve had an affair at work.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
He received much support in the wake of the interview, with some believing he had been too harshly treated.
In May the father of two was pictured enjoying a night out with Declan Donnelly - prompting speculation he was ready for a TV comeback.
Phil's TV return
SOME thought it would never happen. He thought it would never happen.
But, after a 16-month exile, Phil Schofield is back where he belongs — on TV.
A lot has happened in that time, none of it involving Phil. He’s gone from household name to household recluse.
I was the first person to interview him after his axing from This Morning, and he was a shell of a man. Pale, gaunt and shaking, he spoke, haltingly, in a whisper.
Nailing vape after vape, he thought his once glittering career was over. Many came out in support but he couldn’t face opening himself up for more scrutiny.
He’s said “no” to every opportunity that’s since come his way.
But the chance to reset on a remote island has proven too big a draw. This is a chance to have his say — raw, unfiltered and honest. Who knows what will emerge? (Only Phil, a few Madagascan crabs, and a Channel 5 edit suite will know).
It’s a risk, anything with TV cameras generally is, but worth taking.
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