Born in the Eden Valley, Cumbria, Phil was brought up in a Builders Merchants. He attended Kirkby Stephen Grammar School. He completed a HND at Teesside University before moving to New Zealand. Upon his return to the UK he became the drummer for rock band Deathretro, working with them whilst based in Leeds for several years. After the band parted ways Phil moved to London. For a time he fronted My Dirty Lips whilst training to become an actor.