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Holly Willoughby throws Phillip Schofield a virtual surprise birthday party

Tv Presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby pose for photographers on arrival at the TV Choice Awards in central London on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. (Photo by Grant Pollard/Invision/AP)
Phillip Schofield is celebrating his birthday on 'This Morning' with Holly Willoughby (AP)

Phillip Schofield admitted he was missing hugs as he celebrated his 57th birthday on This Morning durinng the ongoing coronavirus lockdown..

Holly Willoughby threw her friend and co-presenter a virtual surprise party by organising a video chat with some of his celebrity pals before they began the live ITV show.

Schofield revealed: "Thanks very much. It's a weird birthday, I'm lacking in hugs. I had a Zoom party with my mates and that was really lovely, so thank you.”

He revealed that Christine Lampard, Bradley Walsh, Declan Donnelly, Emma Bunton, Leigh Francis and Davina McCall had all sung Happy Birthday to him.

Read more: Phillip Schofield comes out as gay

And Schofield was presented with a Colin the Caterpillar cake but was unable to have any candles to blow out due to safety guidelines to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Willoughby said: “Happy Birthday Phil. Obviously the shops are shut so we're limited with what we can get you, but I do think you have the best birthday cake in the world.

“It’s a bit sad because you can't have candles because you can't blow on it. But I think the safest thing would be if you just pick it up and eat it like a swiss roll and it could all be yours.”

However when the camera cut back to the presenters after a video clip, Schofield revealed his cake had been taken away by one of the crew members.

Read more: Phillip Schofield near tears as actor Brian Cox says he's 'proud'

The TV presenter bemoaned: "Jack walked in during that VT and took my cake away! I just wanted to smell it.”

The ITV show is continuing to air during the lockdown with a stripped back staff and guests appearing via videolink.

In accordance with government guidelines Willoughby and Schofield must keep 2 metres apart.

Willougby has previously spoken of how hard she is finding it to keep her distance and not touch her friend and colleague during the show.