Dating shows are a winning recipe for me

This Morning resident chef Phil, 59 – who shares daughter Winnie, 19, with his ex-wife Fern Britton – reveals his passion for binge-watching matchmaking programmes and why he never watches himself on the telly

What have you been watching on TV?

A lot of football, I’m a big football fan. I’ve also been watching Judge Rinder. I record that because Rob [Rinder] is a mate and I love watching it. I’m also addicted to First Dates – I record that too. I watch things like Life After Lockup. I don’t watch films, I just find things that are interesting.

Are you a binge-watcher?

Yes, if it’s raining and cold and I’ve done all the jobs I need to do. I can’t sit down before 5pm – I feel like I’m wasting my time. But I will binge-watch things like Celebs Go Dating and Dinner Date.

Do you watch yourself on This Morning?

No, never. I hate watching myself, I cringe. I get enough stick on social media anyway so the last thing I would say is that I watch myself. I don’t bother.

Would you ever want to do your own show in the future?

I don’t crave my own show or really think about it. I’ve been doing This Morning for 21 years and Ready Steady Cook for eight, so for the best part of 30 years I’ve done TV. I’ve

The Last Word

never actively gone, ‘I want my own series’. I’ve been very lucky with This Morning – I’ve been to 36 countries cooking for them. If you could watch one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? Football.

What were your favourite shows growing up?

I’m a 60s child so I grew up with things like Play School and Watch With Mother. My former brother-in-law was Brian Cant (below) who did Play Away and Play School, so that was very close to my heart. Growing up, there was a series called The White Horses I loved and, of course, Thunderbirds. As I got older, I liked Boys From The Blackstuff and I remember watching the film Kes – that moved me forever.

Is there anything on TV you don’t like?

I don’t like to watch cooking programmes. I might watch Rick Stein occasionally as he’s a mate and I think he’s fantastic.

Do you have a favourite soap to watch?

I used to watch Coronation Street about 15 years ago. Things moved on and the kids grew up so I stopped watching it. For a This Morning segment a few years ago, I cooked in the café with Roy Cropper – that was good fun.

Tell us about your partnership with Love Canned Foods…

It goes back a couple of years. Obviously I cook on This Morning and I feel like I’m helping people by showing them how to use essential stuff that is canned or frozen, as long as it’s good quality. You can produce really great value-formoney food. We started doing recipes using all bits and pieces. It’s been a good thing to do. Phil is a Love Canned Food ambassador. For details, visit @love cannedfood on Instagram

‘I don’t like to watch cooking programmes on TV’