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Phillip Schofield 24 hour live TV marathon for Text Santa

3rd November 2014 Print
Phillip Schofield

ITV’s Text Santa presenter Phillip Schofield is to undertake a marathon TV challenge to kick start ITV’s annual fundraising charity extravaganza. 

Phillip will be on the nation’s TV screens live for a full 24 hours starting with This Morning’s episode on Monday 1st December at 11.00am.  He will finish his epic broadcasting stint at 11.00am the following day, Tuesday 2nd December.

Phillip said: "This is going to be exciting, the longest I have broadcast for is around eight hours for the Royal Wedding and again for the Diamond Jubilee. I am not sure what I have let myself in for but it’s live tv so there’s nowhere to hide.  That's a bit scary but Text Santa is well worth the effort! Hopefully, if viewers are as excited as I am then some might be tempted to stick with me throughout the whole day.”

To keep Phillip fully alert for the length of the broadcast he’ll be popping up in unexpected places and viewers will see him as they’ve never seen him before.

He’ll be a Loose Woman for the day; hook up with friends and celebrities, no matter how far afield – Ant & Dec will be talking to him from the jungle to make sure he’s not nodding off; there’ll be comedy, magic sets, chart topping music acts and live stunts designed to bring the country together to raise funds for the six charities supported by Text Santa. 

Guests including the stars of Coronation Street and Emmerdale will be dropping by to tell Phillip about the big battle of the soaps to raise funds for Text Santa. Other treats lined up include celebrities competing in a National Pub quiz; an exclusive auction to own celebrity memorabilia and clothes; and stars of west end shows performing live. 

With exclusive images of George Clooney’s eagerly anticipated appearance in Downton Abbey and Phillip himself being presented with the challenge of a lifetime there’ll be no chance for him to snatch a quick forty winks.

Phillip’s 24 Hour Live TV Marathon will be on ITV3 for the full 24 hours and will also simulcast with ITV at various points in the day.  Phillip will also appear on ITV2.

Text Santa raises money and awareness for six UK-based charities in the run-up to the big night on 19th December. This year’s chosen charities are Teenage Cancer Trust, Guide Dogs, WellChild, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Alzheimer’s Society and Together for Short Lives.  The other presenters joining Phillip for the three hour show  on the 19th are Christine Bleakley, Ant & Dec, Paddy McGuinness and  Alesha Dixon.

The appeal has raised £15 million for charities since it started in 2011.  All funds raised for Text Santa will be distributed equally between the six charities.  Text Santa doesn't only raise much needed funds for the chosen charities but fosters long term relationships between them and the viewers, helping to create visibility for the charities beyond the televised appeal.

It’s the fourth year of the show and supporting Text Santa for 2014 are Morrisons, Vodafone, and TheHut.com.

Viewers can donate, visit justgiving.com/textsanta.

For more information go to itv.com or stv.tv or u.tv.

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Phillip Schofield