Former This Morning star Phillip Schofield confirmed he would be back on screens to address the controversy surrounding his fall from grace this week.
After a lengthy hiatus from the public eye, the 62-year-old will be appearing in Channel 5’s Cast Away.
Schofield admitted to having had an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a younger ITV colleague in May 2023, resulting in him leaving the channel and stepping away from the limelight.
Since his unexpected comeback announcement, several of his former colleagues have shared their thoughts about the news – including a handful of ex This Morning co-stars.
Loose Women star Nadiya Sawalha, 59, is among those who have slammed the former broadcaster for returning to screens and the nature of his comeback.
Sharing her thoughts about the disgraced presenter’s bizarre return to TV, Sawalha commented: “[The trailer] was popping onto phones all over the place yesterday and everyone was aghast.
Phillip Schofield will be taking part in Channel 5’s Cast Away next week
Channel 5
“When I was first sent it, there was no message with it, so I thought it was a joke.”
Speaking on the Coffee Moaning podcast, she continued: “I just couldn’t believe it. It took me so long to get to grips with it. Then I re-watched it.
“First of all, I cringed. If I’m honest, I absolutely cringed when I saw that video. I thought, ‘that is so embarrassing.’ That was my first feeling.”
Doubting Schofield’s motives for breaking his silence, she added: “He’s also very clever so I think he understands an audience and I think he knows how to speak to an audience. So I think, yes, he’ll be very, very careful.”
ITV colleagues have slammed Schofield’s return to screens
Channel 5
As she reflected on the scandal that ended Schofield’s lengthy television career, she went on: “He lied to everybody at work. He left people to deal with his s**t, I feel, in my opinion.
“There are so many people he’s upset. There’s so much shame involved in this and before anybody dares say this is from a homophobic point of view – it is not, at all! I would be like this right across the board,” she added.
She continued: “I have always stood up against people in positions of power and money and status. I will always stick up for the young person that was swayed by that.”
It was announced on Tuesday the presenter would be taking part in the Channel 5 show, which will see him spending 10 days alone on a remote island off the coast of Madagascar.
In a trailer for the programme, he tells cameras: “I’ve been cast away on a desert island. It’s my chance to tell my side of my story.”
He can also be heard adding: “I know what I did was unwise, but is it enough to absolutely destroy someone?”
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An unkempt Schofield can be seen walking along a beach and getting tearful as he talks about the last year while he chronicles his journey.
The announcement came as he teased some big news on his Instagram account on Tuesday, and immediately speculation about a return to screens was rife.
While Schofield had initially gone silent on all platforms, he surprised the public earlier this year by returning to social media, where he has frequently been sharing updates about his puppy.