Phillip Schofield turned down huge TV offers before signing up to new Channel 5 series

Phillip Schofield teased he will be making an announcement on Wednesday before snaps of him in a new Channel 5 show emerged and it appears he had several offers

Phillip Schofield is set to return to the small screen in a new Channel 5 show, but things could have been completely different.

The former This Morning presenter quit his role at ITV in May 2023 after he admitted to an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a much younger male colleague. However, he's decided that after over a year out of the public eye, he's ready to return and has been secretly filming for Channel 5's Cast Away.

Before agreeing to the island getaway, however, Phillip, 62, is said to have had a number of lucrative offers to tempt him back into the limelight.

According to a TV source, Phillip has decided that the recent offer is the one to bring him back to the forefront. Speaking to The Sun, the insider claimed: "Over the past few months Phil has had quite a few offers for various things - but has steadfastly turned them all down.

"This sort of challenge has always appealed to him though and after consulting with friends and family, he decided to go for it. It's all been top secret, and has been an incredibly quick turnaround in order to keep the news quiet."

The show is set to start on Monday and will see the former Dancing On Ice host stranded alone on an island off Madagascar. There, he will have to fend for himself while filming his own journey. The insider claimed it was the opportunity to tell the story in his own words that enticed him. They said he was able to shoot some "unbelievably raw footage" which will make for tough and emotional viewing.

"He wanted a chance to share his story, unedited and honest, and let viewers see another side to him," the source added. The latest reports come after Phillip had teased a new project to his Instagram followers earlier on Thursday evening. He had shared a cryptic update on his Instagram Stories in which he told fans: "Watch this space... 9am," alongside a winking emoji. There was no further information provided at the time, leaving fans to ponder what the 62-year-old could be referring to.

The appearance will be Phillip's first back in front of the camera in over a year. He had joined This Morning in 2002 before his shocking exit. He presented the iconic show alongside co-star Holly Willoughby from 2009.

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