Phillip Schofield viewers fume at Joanna Lumley's 'shameful' cameo on his Channel 5 show

Philip Schofield viewers appear to have turned on Joanna Lumley after she sent him a message offering ‘love’ as he made his TV comeback.

The Absolutely Fabulous legend made a surprise cameo in Channel 5’s Cast Away, which sees Phil marooned on a tropical island off the coast of Madagascar where he will fend for himself for 10 days.

In his first TV appearance in over a year, 62-year-old Phil will also reflect on the past year since he was axed from his long-running ITV shows, This morning and Dancing on Ice, over his ‘unwise, but not illegal affair’ with a younger male colleague and vowed to ‘tell my side of the story’.

As he prepared to arrive on the island, Joanna – who was herself cast away off the coast of Madagascar in 1994 survival documentary Girl Friday – said: “Listen Phil, these are the tips I’ve got, keep your knives sharp, spend much of the day trying to find wood otherwise you won’t be able to eat anything.”

The 78-year-old telly icon added: “When I was on the island I made a pair of shoes out of my bra… and I would love to think that you could do something a bit challenging, and bring it back so we could all look at it. I shall be thinking of you all the time Phil, and actually I’m a little bit jealous, lots of love.” As she signed off blowing him a kiss, Phil responded: “Oh you darling, thank you so much, that’s amazing.”

But some fans were not happy that Joanna was showing support for Phil and took to social media to vent. One wrote: “Joanna Lumley, a national treasure! Surely not?!?!?!?! #philipschofield.” Another fumed: “GET JOANNA LUMLEY AWAY FROM PHILIP SCHOFIELD.” A third said: “Him calling Ant and Dec 2 of his best mates, Joanna Lumley making a camo, what in the world? #philipschofield.” And a fourth commented: “Shame on her.”

While the backlash against Phil rumbles on, the veteran TV host has also received many messages of support from his celeb pals including Lorraine, his former This Morning co-stars Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, Rylan and Jeremy Clarkson, among others.

Some fans also backed him, with one writing: “Philip Schofield is allowed a life and friends, people should let him get on with it... he has done nothing illegal, he made a mistake and is paying for it. I think it’s great she [Joanna] supports him, that’s a true friend.” Others expressed delight Phil was back on TV screens and said: “It’s SO good having Schofe back on the telly.”

*Phillip Schofield: Cast Away is on Channel 5 at 9pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week

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