Schofield’s TV return in Cast Away, which aired this evening on Channel 5, has been met with resounding anger from many of those watching.
Whilst a minority of viewers appear to have been enjoying the return of the former This Morning presenter, the vast majority appear furious at Schofield’s attempt to come back into the limelight.
Schofield left This Morning and ITV last year after it was revealed he had lied to the company about an extra-marital affair with a young member of staff at the TV company.
Though quotes have been released this week due to screenings provided to press, tonight was the general public’s first view of his return.
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One tweet about the show said: “Watched 5 mins of Phillip Schofield's island doc and feeling so chilled by the horror of it all I had to turn it off.”
They went on to ask a question that seemed to be shared by many watching: “Who thought this was a good idea??? Now the family look bad too #phillipschofield #poorme”.
A second tweeter asked: “Not falling for Phillip Schofield’s failed attempt at this PR tactic to redeem his reputation.
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“Who really thought this was a good idea?”
A third asked another variation of the very same question: “Who's idea was this tripe #PhillipSchofield #CH5”.
A fourth went as far as to say: “Lets be honest, the only reason anyone’s watching this is to slag him off. Idk why he’s giving it the big sob story.
“Does he really think people would feel sorry for him?”
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Others were more generally critical of the show, with one saying: “Channel 5 using Phillip ‘woe is me’ Schofield for a ratings boost, cry me a river with this attempted redemption arc.”
A second posted: “Phillip Schofield back like the great plague of London. Just stay gone”.
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Meanwhile, a third said: “I don't care how many days Philip Schofield sat on a desert island and had cameras filming him.
“I will not be emotionally manipulated. Channel 5 are a disgrace.”
The hate for Schofield’s TV return was not unanimous however.
One viewer tweeted: “Schof coming across really well. His family have forgiven him and are supporting him. Therefore that should be good enough for anyone. #PhillipSchofield”.
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Others simply were shocked at how bizarre the whole situation was.
Scott Bryan, a TV critic, tweeted to say: “Imagine being told two years ago that one day Phillip Schofield would be abandoned on an island for ten days by channel 5 whilst badmouthing his past employers”.
In the first episode, Schofield addressed rumours he would be appearing on I’m A Celeb.
He said: “Although my best mates host it, there are some channels you just won't work for. "There are some people you won't work for."
Topics: Phillip Schofield, This Morning, ITV, TV, Channel 5, TV and Film
Michael Slavin