His first experience of radio was during his degree studies, although his broadcasting career began properly in 1987. He started on BRMB, presenting the lunchtime show, a Friday evening show devoted to dance music. He later took over the drivetime show, then the mid-morning show, and finally the afternoon show in 1997.
Heart FM
1998 saw him move from BRMB to 100.7 Heart FM, where he presented the weekday afternoon show from 1 to 4pm.
Back to BRMB
Having spent five years at Heart, he moved back to BRMB in 2003. There he took over the Weekday Mid-Morning show from 9am to 1pm and a Saturday morning slot from 9am to midday. In addition, he also hosted a Saturday evening show. He remained at BRMB until the summer of 2006.
Current work
Phil was on BBC WM, as the Breakfast show presenter every Monday - Friday from 6:30am to 9:30am. The show included a mix of news, chat and topical discussion. On his show on 2 February 2011, Phil told listeners that his father was a Muslim from Pakistan. On 27 April 2012, Phil Upton presented his last Breakfast show on BBC WM. A tireless children’s charity campaigner who helped BBC WM to raise more than £1 million for the Kidney Kids Appeal at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Phil said in a pre-arranged statement: “It’s been a privilege to host the breakfast show for five and a half years. “Recent events in my personal and family life mean that now is a good time for me to take some time away from day-to-day frontline radio presenting – something I’ve done pretty much non-stop for the last 23 years. “I’m looking forward to making more films for BBC Inside Out and continuing to be part of the BBC family and very much hope to return to radio in the future. “In the meantime I’m looking forward to waking up with my children on Monday mornings and taking them to school, something I’ve definitely missed.” Gareth Roberts said: “Phil is a real professional who has put plenty of enthusiasm and hard work into the programme. “Getting up in the middle of the night and presenting a three-hour show every day takes real dedication and we wish him all the bestfor the future.” Phil also covered shows on BBC Local Radio stations in the midlands including BBC Coventry & Warwickshire & BBC Radio Shropshire and now presents the drive time show on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire from 4pm to 7pm.
Personal life
Phil lived in Claverdon, Warwickshire with his two children, James and Charlotte. He is a keen cyclist, as well as an ardent Aston Villa supporter. On his Breakfast show in August 2011 Upton announced live on air that he and his wife, Katherine, had decided to separate after 15 years of marriage. During the summer of 2019, he referred on air to commuting to Coventry from Meriden.
