Phillip Schofield couldn’t contain his amusement as he learned of a petition to erect a statue of his likeness in Plymouth on This Morning.
Co-host Rylan Clark-Neal, who stepped in for Holly Willoughby during today’s show, raised the topic with the presenter live on air, telling Schofield: “Let’s talk about you for a minute because I would probably say you deserve a statue of some sort.”
He went on to explain the petition to the 56-year-old, who he described as a “national treasure.”
“Because a lot of people love you, you’re a national treasure,” he said.
“One person in particular, Alan Farrell, he has started a petition on Change.org, to put a statue of you in Plymouth because his line is, ‘no one has done more to put Plymouth on the map than Phillip Schofield.’”
A mock-up of a golden statue of Schofield then appeared on screen, prompting the pair to dissolve into laughter.
“I think you’d look stunning next to that lighthouse,” Clark-Neal suggested.
“I think I disagree with him, I think maybe Sir Francis Drake did more [for the city],” Schofield added, before revealing that he actually “[grew] up in Cornwall,” which might “knock [the petition] down.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Clark-Neal joked in response, before revealing that just 71 people had signed the petition at the time of broadcast.
“The country are behind you with this one,” he said, adding: “Let’s see if we can get it to 74, wouldn’t that be lovely for you.”
Earlier in the show, Schofield sent a sweet message of condolence to his absent presenting partner Willoughby, who was attending the funeral of her beloved grandmother.
“Holly’s not here today, sadly her nan has passed away and today is the funeral,” he said.
“We’re sending lots and lots of love to the whole family and especially to Holly’s mum Lynne.”
This Morning airs from 10.30am, weekdays on ITV.
