Viewers of Phillip Schofield’s latest TV venture noticed what appeared to be a pointed remark towards his former co-host Holly Willoughby in his new Channel 5 documentary, Cast Away. In the show, Schofield, 62, spends 10 days on a remote island off the coast of Madagascar, attempting to communicate his side of the story following the scandal that led to his departure from ITV.
Schofield, who left This Morning in 2023 after admitting to lying about a consensual relationship with a younger colleague, made a subtle comment at the start of the documentary that viewers took as a direct reference to Willoughby. Addressing the audience, Schofield began by asking, “Are you ok?”—a phrase strikingly similar to Willoughby’s infamous words upon her return to This Morning in June 2023.
At that time, Holly Willoughby opened her monologue with, “Right, deep breath. Firstly, are you OK? I hope so,” a line which sparked considerable criticism and became a viral joke. Schofield’s apparent nod to this moment didn’t go unnoticed by viewers, with one person exclaiming, “THAT HOLLY DIG!!!” while another added, “Oooh was that a cheeky dig at Holly Willoughby there, Phillip?
Schofield’s Controversial Return Met with Mixed Reactions
While Schofield’s documentary offers a remorseful narrative, his return to television has sparked backlash from some viewers, with critics calling it “disgraceful.” Others have pointed out the risk involved in Schofield’s decision to return to the public eye via a reality TV-like show. Vanessa Feltz, a colleague and friend of Schofield, shared her thoughts on his decision: “Any reality TV show anyone does is a risk… you could come out brilliantly, and everyone could fall in love with you and you could impress them to the max.” Despite the risks, she wished Schofield “all the luck in the world.
Joanna Lumley, a notable supporter, also sent a message of “love” to Schofield, wishing him well as he embarked on his journey to Madagascar.
Schofield’s Career and Support Following ITV Exit
Schofield’s career has been in turmoil since his abrupt exit from ITV last year. He has since blamed his brother for his departure, distancing himself from the scandal that led to his removal. Despite the controversy, Schofield appears determined to communicate his side of the story and seek some form of redemption.
Phillip Schofield: Cast Away aired on Monday, September 30 at 9 p.m. on Channel 5 and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday at the same time, as Schofield attempts to shed light on his experiences and the scandal that rocked his career and the television industry.
