Phillip Schofield’s new show airs on Channel 5 (Image: Channel 5)
Phillip Schofield’s latest TV venture has resulted in low viewership numbers.
The This Morning star had been eager to redeem his television persona with a Channel 5 documentary series, over a year on from an unwise, but not illegal affair with a colleague. The three-part docuseries titled Cast Away premiered on Channel 5 this past Monday evening, garnering harsh critiques and polarising views.
Despite high expectations, ratings data revealed 1.4 million viewers watched the new show, a stark contrast to his once glittering TV presence. The documentary provoked online backlash as viewers condemned his “narcissistic” demeanour and lack of contrition for his mistakes.
In a crushing blow, ITV’s programming eclipsed Phillip’s show, with their new crime drama Joan featuring Game of Thrones alumna Sophie Turner seizing more than 2 million viewers.
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Sophie Turner plays Joan in the new ITV drama (Image: ITV)
The third episode of ‘s survival series, Cast Away, is set to hit screens on Channel 5 tonight at 9pm. Touted as “an authentic and intense physical and mental challenge” the programme sees Schofield marooned on a deserted island for a gruelling 10 days, armed only with a camera to document his solitary ordeal, reports .
In an emotional confession to the camera during the premiere, Schofield said: “In the last 18 months my life has totally unravelled. I locked myself away from the outside world. But now I want to see if the ultimate isolation can finally set me free.”
The debut episode captured him scouring the beach for crabs and braving fierce winds, while he pondered over the cathartic effect of the experience of draining his “toxicity tanks”.
He said he wanted people to “b***er off and let me get on with the quiet life that you’ve all given me”, and shared insights into the “dark” depths he encountered. Reflecting on his disrupted career, he admitted: “I miss parts of it. I miss most of it. There are bits I really, really don’t miss. You learn a lot about people. You learn a lot about people. I don’t miss that.”
*The final episode of Cast Away airs tonight on Channel 5.