Phillip Schofield's rise from presenting with a puppet to ‘king of daytime TV’ as he quits This Morning
As Phillip Schofield steps down from hosting This Morning after 21 years, we take a look back at his glittering career from the Broom Cupboard to the Dancing On Ice rink
Phillip Schofield graduated from presenting on CBBC’s Broom Cupboard to enjoy one of the most enduring careers in television.
The 61-year-old, who made his name alongside sidekick Gordon The Gopher on the BBC children’s television show, came to be seen as the king of daytime TV.
On Saturday he announced he was stepping down from ITV’s This Morning after more than 20 years as it "has become the story" and he wanted to "protect the show I love".
The "silver fox" has enjoyed a longer small-screen shelf-life than many other presenters, thanks in part to his chemistry with Holly Willoughby.
Phillip always knew he wanted to be on TV, spending many years writing letters to the BBC, and is quoted as saying: "I never had a thought about pursuing another career."
Phillip Schofield's statement in full as he quits This Morning after 21 years
Holly Willoughby breaks silence as Phillip Schofield steps down from This Morning
Phillip presented links with puppet Gordon The Gopher in 1985, on the first afternoon of what was then called Children’s BBC.
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"If you can introduce Newsround with a fluffy gopher squeaking next to you, you can handle anything," he later said.
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He moved on to Saturday morning show Going Live alongside Sarah Greene in 1987.
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In 1996, he signed an exclusive contract to present a series of shows including Talking Telephone Numbers, Schofield’s Quest and Schofield’s TV Gold.
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He also notched up success on stage, as the lead in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
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