LISA WHELCHEL’s SURVIVAL INSTINCT

NationalEnquirer.com

COMPETING on “Survivor: Philippines” has given LISA WHELCHEL a new lease on life!

The ENQUIRER has learned that the star of the hit ’80s sitcom “The Facts of Life” made the final three in the cutthroat competition – and buoyed by confidence from that success she’s now planning a Hol­lywood comeback at the age of 49.

“Lisa wants to act again, but she’d also love to have her own talk show. She believes her expo­sure on ‘Survivor’ will lead to that,” says a source.

When her nine-year TV gig as spoiled rich girl Blair Warner ended in 1988, Lisa married Steve Cau­ble, a pastor. She devoted herself to raising their three children, writ­ing Christian-themed books and speaking about her faith.

But she’s been a rabid “Survivor” fan, the source said, and after divorcing her husband in March, she won a spot on the show and used her experience to outfox her younger rivals.

“Lisa has watched every episode of ‘Survivor,’” said the source. “She called on her knowledge of the show to scheme her way into this season’s final three.”

The former child star plans to move to Los Angeles from her home in Flower Mound, Texas, shortly after Christmas, and she’s already reconnected with her sit­com co-star Kim Fields, said the source.

“Kim is acting and directing, and her mother is also a prominent actress and director,” noted the source. “Lisa hopes they’ll help her get back into the showbiz mix.

“She’s learned another fact of life – it’s never too late to do some­thing you love!”