The This Morning presenter is set to return to reality competition Dancing on Ice alongside his long-time screen-partner Holly Willoughby on ITV tonight, and he recently made no secret of his determination to “win” the ratings battle. 

The 55-year-old insisted that the comparisons between the glittering ice-based series and BBC stalwart Strictly Come Dancing are pointless and there’s no “reason for anybody to quake”.

Despite that however, Phillip Schofield couldn’t resist delivering a blow against the rival channel.

“I don’t think [the similarities would be a problem],” he told Express.co.uk and other media. “You’ve only got to look at the success of Strictly to know that there’s room for everybody. 

“So no I don’t think so and I as much as everybody, think Strictly is a fantastic show. It’s got a brilliant format, it’s done beautifully well so no I don’t think there’s any reason for anybody to quake. There’s room for all of us I hope.”

Adding with a laugh, Phillip said: “I mean, whatever they’ve got on the other side I hope we thrash its a*se.”

The television host also recently revealed the behind-the-scenes secret of his and Holly’s, 36, ability to walk on and off the ice without skates. 

Speaking to fellow This Morning hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, Phillip grinned conspiratorially: “Oh alright, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you now.

“If Holly and I go on to the ice they put white carpet out and we go on in our normal shoes on white carpet."

The star continued to explain: “If we have to go out without the white carpet, we have one of those special grip things they put on the bottom of your shoes so you don’t fall over.”

Ruth, 57, chimed in excitedly: “I’d like to see those - especially on the bottom of Holly’s high heels.”

Dancing on Ice airs tonight at 6pm on ITV.