CELEB Morning man to provide a little music of the night

THESE days he’s best known for being part of a TV double act who were recently voted ahead of Ant & Dec as the nation’s favourite. (Sorry, lads!)

But rewind a few decades and Phillip Schofield was earning rave reviews on the West End stage.

Phillip, who is of course the This Morning partner in crime of Holly Willoughby, followed in the footsteps of Jason Donovan by playing the lead in Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the early 90s, and it’s musical theatre that will see him return to the Newcastle stage later this month.

Phillip will host Knights of Music at the City Hall on Saturday, April 29 but he won’t just be the master Phillip Schofield is to sing on stage for the first time in 17 years. Left, at Dec’s wedding of ceremonies for the celebration of legendary musicians – he’ll also perform a few songs as well.

The cleverly titled revue sees a cast of West End stars, including Over The Rainbow’s Sophie Evans, perform songs by musicians and composers who have either been knighted or made a dame.

The repertoire includes classics from the likes of Elton John, The Beatles, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones and two men Phillip knows well from his time in Joseph’s coat of many colours – Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

“The idea for the show, as many ideas do, started in the pub,” Phillip told us.

“My friend pitched the show to me and thought it sounded fantastic.

“And then after another drink I agreed to host it.

“Several drinks later and the chances of me singing in it went from very slim to definite.

“There’s no doubt about it – for me, singing on stage for the first time in 17 years is taking me right out of my comfort zone.

“It’s a very rare event indeed but I’m particularly looking forward to being back in Newcastle.

“The last time I was here was of course for Dec’s wedding, and what a day that was!”

Speaking of Dec, Phillip is of course very good friends with him and Ant and said they’d be wel- come at the City Hall show. “I’d know they were there just from their laughs – they’re very recognisable,” he joked.

“We could maybe even get them on stage although I don’t think we could get Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble in there, given that they haven’t yet been knighted.”

Phillip and a stellar cast of acclaimed performers will perform tracks as diverse as I’m Still Standing, I Dreamed A Dream, It’s Not Unusual and, from Joseph, Close Every Door. (Wonder who’ll sing that one!)

Knights of Music tickets are available from the Theatre Royal box office or www.theatreroyal.co.uk/ whats-on/the-knights-of-music.