This will only interest very few people here, because Phil is unknown outside the busking world - which is probably pretty well how he likes it. I heard the news last night that he has terminal cancer and has been released by Charing Cross Hospital to spend his remaining days among friends. He was one of Don Partridge's closest friends, so some of you who knew Don will know Phil. Don did not go out of his way to flatter people, but he told me: "On the quiet Alan, Phil's a little genius."
I only had the good fortune to meet Phil twice, but meeting him is an experience which no one will forget. Apart from being the most gifted natural clown I have ever met - or likely will meet - he is also polite, gentle, kind and cheerful. His influence on other performers is incalculable. All over the world there are street comedians, jugglers, musicians and other performers, who use Phil's material and ideas - even though they have never heard of him. He essentially invented the modern street comedy show back in the sixties at a time when the busking tradition was being reborn and seen as an alternative way of life.
Phil won't remember me, because I was just one kid of many who spent a few days with him and then moved on. Those of you who know him better may wish to get in contact with him now and tell him how much we love him. I wish I had better news. The man is absolutely irreplaceable.