[2] While working at Haven, a talent scout saw him perform, and he was invited by BBC Manchester to audition for Play School.
[2] His audition was successful, but the show was pulled out of production shortly after he signed the contract; however, it was recommissioned as Playbus (later renamed to Playdays), which ran for nine years.
The series by Andrew River was invited to showcase at MCM Comic Con London[9] and the cast includes Pat Sharp and Ewen MacIntosh.
[14] There were other false rumours that he was presenting on a soft porn TV sex line, and that he was no longer being hired because he had suffered a nervous breakdown.
[14] In 2017 Phillips spoke with the Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on an inquiry into fake news.