He attended the Farm Institute to train, but he disappointed Dan by returning to work for local squire George Fairbrother.
During this time he met and married the squire's daughter Grace, but she died from injuries sustained in a fire in an episode broadcast on 22 September 1955.
In 1991, he had a hip replacement operation, and in 2001 he handed the farm over to David and his wife; Phil and Jill moved to Glebe Cottage.
In spite of nearly suffering eye damage, after a lead-acid battery had accidentally exploded in his face, he also took up astronomy in his retirement and enjoyed cooking, though this was often to the irritation of Jill.
A few days later, Jill returns home to find Phil has died in his armchair while listening to Elgar's Dream of Gerontius, with a cup of tea at his side.
In October 2009, Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture placed Phil at number one on her list of best soap opera characters of the month.
"[6] Gillian Reynolds of The Daily Telegraph said Phil's death was "beautifully done, in seven scenes, three intersecting plot lines and all in 13 minutes.