Holly Willoughby pays tribute to co-host Phillip Schofield celebrating 40 years in the industry
He presented from the Broom Cupboard in the 80s
Holly Willoughby has shared an 80s throwback pic of This Morning and Dancing On Ice co-host Phillip Schofield, to celebrate his 40th year in the business.
In the photo from the 1980s that Holly shared, it shows a young Phillip wearing a Radio Rock top. Sitting at the desk in the Broom Cupboard, Phillip has his left arm casually leaning on the back of the office chair, where a gorilla toy is propped on the seat back.
Holly captioned the photo: 'Today the TV oracle marks his 40th year in the business… for a long time I watched you and then for the last 15 years I have been lucky enough to sit alongside you. You have taught me so much, you have always been patient and generous with me… It’s been an honour to play a part in your TV story… love you to bits @schofe ❤️'.
Although most people of a certain age, will remember Phillip from his time in the Broom Cupboard, he actually started his career in New Zealand. When he was a teenager his family moved to New Zealand and there, in 1982, he started working at a youth music programme Shazam!.
It was then in 1985, after moving back to the UK, Phillip made a name for himself on Children's BBC, presenting links between the kids shows from the room known as the Broom Cupboard accompanied by his furry friend, Gordon the Gopher.
From there, Phillip's career took him to Saturday morning TV such as Going Live! with Sarah Greene, and other programmes such as The Cube, This Morning and Dancing On Ice.
Now take a look through Phillip Schofield's career:
1985: CBBC children's presenter
Phil's big break came as he presented the links between TV shows on CBBC, or children's BBC as it was called then. He did this from 1985 to 1987.
1987: Radio and Going Live!
Phil was also a radio presenter by this point, and presented Saturday morning children's TV show Going Live! from 1987 to 1993.
1992: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
In 1992, Phillip turned his hand to something completely different and appeared on stage as Joseph in the West End production, taking over the role from Jason Donovan. He performed this for five years.
2002: This Morning
Phil took to the This Morning sofa for the first time in 2002, taking over from John Leslie and presenting with Fern Britton. After she left in 2009, Holly Willoughby took up the reins, having worked with Phil on Dancing On Ice.
2006: Dancing On Ice
Speaking of which... Phil co-hosted Dancing On Ice from 2006 with Holly, before she left in 2011 and was replaced by Christine Bleakley until 2014 when the show went on hiatus. When it returned in 2018, Holly and Phil were back at the helm.
2006: The British Soap Awards
In 2006, Phil began hosting The British Soap Awards, and has been doing it annually ever since then!
2008: All Star Mr & Mrs
In 2008, Phil and his then-This Morning co-star Fern Britton began hosting All Star Mr & Mrs. When Fern left in 2010, Phil carried on until the series ended in 2016.
2009: The Cube
Phillip began presenting The Cube in 2009, a game show which saw contestants attempt to tackle the prizes inside the cube for prize money. It was GRIPPING. Sadly, it was taken off-air in 2015.
2017: Schofield's South African Adventure
Schofe got to travel around South Africa for a This Morning segment in 2017. Although there haven't been talks for another series, Phil did tell Lorraine Kelly that he'd "love" to do another one.
2017: 5 Gold Rings
He returned to the game show circuit in 2017, presenting 5 Gold Rings which he still continues to do now.
2018: Coronation Street
In 2018, Phil and Hol made Coronation Street fans very happy with a small cameo. As part of Rosie Webster's exit storyline, the pair interviewed Rosie, Craig Tinker and Gemma Winter.
2019: WeBuyAnyCar.com
On top of everything else he's doing, Phil also appears in adverts for WeBuyAnyCar.com - and his current campaign sees him playing with an ADORABLE puppy! Aww.
2020: Phil comes out as gay
In February 2020, Phil announced he's gay in a heartfelt post on social media.
He then sat down on This Morning for an interview with friend and co-host Holly Willoughby.
Phil told Holly, "It's funny because everyone I've spoken to, and you, have all been so supportive and so loving and caring, and my entire family to a person have grabbed us and said it's ok it's ok, we love you we're proud of you...
"Every person I tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter, at the same time I have made this decision which is essential for me and essential for my head and that is principally the reason I have done this."
The Million Pound Drop
After a five year break, Phillip is back with popular game show The Cube in October 2020, and this time it's bigger and better! Contestants will play in teams of two and compete for a massive £1 million.
Now read:
Everything you need to know about This Morning's Phillip Schofield
Holly Willoughby's career: From children's TV host to daytime TV queen