Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber was given a star-studded early birthday present as Ant and Dec roped in a celebrity line-up for the musical theatre impresario.
The duo’s Saturday Night Takeaway paid tribute to the acclaimed composer with a medley of his biggest hits including from Cats and Phantom Of The Opera.
Alexandra Burke, Joe McElderry, and James Corden contributed their musical talents to the tribute but it was Phillip Schofield who stole the show as he reprised his Joseph And his Technicolor Dreamcoat performance 25 years after taking to the stage at the London Palladium.
The special performance comes just two weeks shy of Lord Lloyd Webber’s 70th birthday which is being marked with a new album.
The greatest musical spectacular ever! And here's a technicolour selfie to prove it! #SaturdayNightTakeaway pic.twitter.com/jK70d0xDlc
— Saturday Night Takeaway (@itvtakeaway) March 10, 2018
School Of Rock kicked off the tribute before nods to Cats and Phantom Of The Opera with Any Dream Will Do rounding off the programme.
The final number featured leading men performances from McElderry, Corden and Ant and Dec before Schofield intervened to aplomb.
So many Joseph’s to choose from…but clearly @Schofe wins!!!! Fabulous surprise @itvtakeaway & loving @antanddec @JKCorden @joemcelderry91 🎉❤️😍👏🏼👏🏼 xxx pic.twitter.com/HFKcPHYaXg
— Lorraine Maunder (@iiLorraine) March 10, 2018
Lord Lloyd Webber was among the studio audience and labelled Schofield “amazing” – a message shared among viewers online.
When @Schofe came out singing Any Dream Will Do the whole nation was like: #saturdaynighttakeaway pic.twitter.com/I3OXhrRc2e
— emily ⭐️ (@loveemilyjayne) March 10, 2018
Just spilt my water all over myself and the sofa when @Schofe walked out on @itvtakeaway #philisthebestjoseph
— Stephanie Marshall (@steph5steph) March 10, 2018
@LTrundell wrote on Twitter that the This Morning presenter has “still got it” while “AngelaLonsale called it “TV gold”.
@Schofe @antanddec – look of pure joy and emotion……amazing….you've still got it @Schofe #SaturdayNightTakeaway 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/pHJU01Oh4v
— Lorraine (@LTrundell) March 10, 2018
@Ladybird_gal tweeted: “@Schofe great performance tonight ‘bring me my coloured coat’ made my night. Fabulous.”
@AngieHD67 posted: “Great show as always but LOVED! LOVED! LOVED JOSEPH! Saw Schofe perform may years ago and you have just brought the biggest smile to my face tonight.”
@AlbionAce wrote: “@Schofe brilliant seeing you sing Joseph again! Wish I had been there.”
Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway returns next Saturday on ITV.