Phillip Schofield was all smiles on Monday night as he enjoyed a lively gathering with his daughter, Molly, and friends.
The occasion? A celebration for the launch of his new show, Cast Away.
At 62, the presenter was ready to make a much-anticipated return to the small screen, promising viewers an “unedited and honest” take on his experiences.
However, the reception for his Channel 5 show hasn’t been exactly glowing, with critics and audiences voicing their dissatisfaction.
Still, Phillip appeared in high spirits, laughing and posing for Instagram photos with his loved ones.
Dressed in a sleek black sweater over a crisp white shirt, Phillip seemed relaxed as he shared the moment with his daughter, who expressed how “proud” she was of him.
Reposting a friend’s photos, Molly wrote, “What a night, thank you all for the support.”
In another post, she added, “Could not be more proud.”
Viewer Reactions
While Phillip was basking in the celebration, viewers were quick to voice their criticisms.
Just minutes into the first episode, many accused him of being “less remorseful than he claims.”
This came after what seemed like a jab at his former This Morning co-host, Holly Willoughby.
In the show, he talked about his tumultuous exit from ITV and This Morning, where he had hosted for 21 years, while fending for himself on a remote island off Madagascar.
His departure from This Morning in May of last year was a scandal, as he had admitted to lying about a relationship with a much younger male colleague.
Following this revelation, Holly distanced herself from Phillip.
During her highly publicized return to the show in June 2023, she shared her feelings of being “shaken, let down, and worried.”
Starting her segment, she remarked, “Hello, Firstly, are you okay? I hope so. It feels very strange sat here without Phil.”
The Show’s Content
In one particular segment of Cast Away, Phillip is seen grilling with his family before heading off to the island.
He jokes, “If you’re okay, then we’re okay, and I’m okay… are you okay?”
Although he didn’t mention Holly by name in this part, viewers quickly caught the slight.
Comments on social media included, “Ooooh, was that a cheeky dig at Holly Willoughby there, Phillip?”
Another user humorously noted, “Schofe’s about to draw a smiley face on a volleyball and call it ‘Willoughby.’”
Critics were not shy about expressing their views either.
Roland White from the Daily Mail described Phillip’s return as possibly “the biggest television misjudgment” since Prince Andrew’s infamous interview.
He humorously remarked that the most entertainment in the episode came from imagining the meeting that convinced Phillip to take part.
Reflections and Ratings
The premise of Cast Away involved Phillip spending ten days alone on a tropical island, with no food or water, and without a production crew.
He reflected on his time since leaving This Morning, admitting, “I miss part of it, certainly. I miss most of it, if I’m honest. But, there are parts that I really, really, really don’t miss.”
His comments, though, seemed to straddle the line between self-reflection and self-pity, which some viewers found off-putting.
As for the critics’ verdicts, they varied widely.
Vicky Jessop from the Evening Standard pointed out the lack of balance in the show, stating that Phillip showed “hardly any remorse” and seemed to harbor resentment towards the public and press.
Stuart Heritage from The Guardian acknowledged that while Phillip’s survival efforts were entertaining, his bitterness was palpable, making the viewing experience less enjoyable.
Carol Midgley from The Times noted Phillip’s dramatics, highlighting his statement that “there’ll be an awful lot of people who hope that I never come back.”
In the end, Cast Away continues airing on Tuesdays at 9 PM on Channel 5, leaving viewers eager to see how Phillip navigates his time alone on the island and how he reflects on his past.
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