Phillip Schofield 'digs own grave' as viewers turned off by Castaway rant
What did you miss?
Phillip Schofield joked he had dug his own grave, as viewers branded his TV comeback "narcissistic" and "self-pitying".
The former This Morning presenter - who stepped down as the host of This Morning on 20 May, 2023 after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with a much younger male colleague - has returned to primetime television in Channel 5's survival series Cast Away.
The latest episode saw Scofield, 62, dig a sand chair, before joking "it looks like I've dug my own grave". Speaking to camera he reflected on the collapse of his 40 year TV career following the revelation of his affair, and his decision to speak out in the Cast Away show. Schofield said: "I'll be slammed," but added: "I don't care anymore... I quit."
What, how, and why?
Schofield claims his return to TV isn't about trying to rebuild his media career, saying "this is me having my say as I bow out".
In the second episode he reflected: "There is so much more I could say when you get something wrong and you hurt the people around you and you know, you got something wrong. I don't know what price you're supposed to pay and whether the price you're paying is necessarily proportionate." He went on: "I'll be slammed for this. 'Phillip Scofield's mad rant.' But the thing is I don't care anymore.
"This is me having my say as I bow out and the good thing is when you do a programme like this and you do it just for yourself, you have nothing to lose. They've taken pretty much everything, reputation, dignity, legacy, everything.
"Anyway, I'm not bleating. I'm just getting it off my chest. I will know that I did my best and I've said my peace and anyone who's bitter about that, honestly, you can f**k off 'cause I don't give a s**t. I quit Mic drop."
Later in the episode Schofield reflected on how life can take you somewhere unexpected, but that can turn out to be a joyful experience, with a long analogy about getting on the wrong plane. At the end of it, as he looked out at the view from the island he broke down and sobbed.
Read more: Phillip Schofield
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Channel 5 viewers slam Phillip Schofield’s Cast Away ‘most boring hour of TV’(News Shopper, 2 min read)
What did viewers say?
Viewers were mainly unsympathetic with Scofield, branding him unrepentant, narcissistic and false.
One wrote on social media platform X: "If this is Phil’s attempt at redemption, it’s totally failing for me. I was kind of neutral. Didn’t like how Holly got brought down with him. But after these rants I’m not liking the man at all… #castaway #Schofield"
Another said: "He’s completely so not sorry ! this has been all poor , poor Philip how badly HE has been TREATED #PhillipSchofield" One tweeted: "This #Castaway with #philipschofield is very uncomfortable watching! Talking about suicide, swearing & "I don't care" I really don't know what to make of him! He's willowing in self pity! He reminds me of a family member, but different circumstances! Time will tell
And another commented: "Ghastly bloke. No sympathy for this one! #PhillipSchofield" @Schofe ... He's only doing #Cast Away @channel5_tv because he needs the money. It's not been done to redeem himself and certainly not for the reason to "find" himself either! ... A load of horse s**t! "
Another observed: "I’m guessing the producers didn’t let Schofield preview this awful example of a narcissist talking to his reflection in a broken mirror before it was scheduled for broadcast… #philipschofield #mememe #castaway" And another shared: "#castaway ‘Schofield’s mad rant’? Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything further from one.So slick, so rehearsed, apologise without detailing what for, criticise without specifics?"
But some still showed their support. One posted: "#PhillipSchofield sending love & strength to you Phil. Xxxx" And another declared: "Loving it. If you're offended or don't like him, switch it over. Why watch if you all hate so much ??? He's only human. What did he do that's so wrong. Are you all so squeaky clean #castaway"
Cast Away is streaming on My5 TV.
For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/phillip-schofield-digs-own-grave-castaway-rant-212035645.html
