Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
I’M SHOCKED ..BUT PROUD
Phil had shoulder to cry on
» Phil Schofield’s mum reveals how TV presenter told her he was gay
» He’s sorry for hurt he’s caused his wife after 27 years’ marriage
ON HIS WIFE » She’s amazing... No one could have supported me the way that she has
ON HOLLY V You have all been so supportive & so loving. Every person I tell it gets lighter
ON FUTURE » I’m not thinking about a relationship. I will just take things one day at a time
PHILLIP Schofield’s mum Pat said she “couldn’t be more proud,” of her son after he came out as gay, despite the star admitting he had caused immense pain to wife Stephanie Lowe and their girls.
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Pat, 83 told how she was staggered when he visited her to relay the news.
She then watched as the This Morning presenter told the world yesterday in an emotional interview with co-host Holly Willoughby minutes after releasing a statement.
Pat said: “For him to be so brave in front of so many people was inspiring, because I know how hard it was for him to do.
“I love Steph and the girls more than anything in the world and I will always be there for them.
“When Phillip drove to Cornwall to tell me, the first thing I said was I don’t care.
“Yes it was a shock, but nothing as a family that we can’t support and applaud.”
Pat, who has another son, Tim, added: “I love my boys, they both fill me with so much pride.”
Phillip had earlier told Holly how he had grappled for “the past few years” with the realisation that he could no longer keep his true sexuality a secret.
Friends say it came as a devastating blow to his loyal wife of nearly 27 years, and mother of their grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby.
One said: “Steph is being a rock for Phillip, as she always has been, but there’s no denying she is absolutely shattered by all this.
“She and the girls love him very much and will support him as much as they can, but the knowledge they have been living a lie for so long is terribly hurtful. It’s humiliating to think that you’re married to someone who doesn’t love you in the way you love them.”
Phillip, 57, admitted clean had led to some
“heartbreaking conversations”.
And he said he was haunted by guilt over how his family were feeling
“I feel a little lighter but I’m also very, very aware, there’s no question it causes pain and upset,” he told Holly. “I am, very conscious of the hurt, so my overriding emotion for my family is obviously going to be guilt because I do feel guilty that this can’t be anything other than a painful process.” In his statement earlier Phillip had spoken of “some very dark moments” as he came to terms with his “inner conflict” over his sexuality. But he added: “Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud. “Yes, I am feeling pain and confusion, but that comes only from the hurt that I am causing to my family.”
Phillip was overcome with emotion as he explained to viewers: “We’ve been honest and open.
“Steph – I can’t write in any statement what I feel about that woman.
“She’s amazing, she’s incredible. There is no one in my life who would have supported me, as a wife, as the way she’s supported me. She’s astonishing, literally astonishing.”
Philip was born in Oldham, Lancs, but grew up in Newquay, Cornwall, with his French-polisher dad Brian, and Pat, who worked in a care home.
Phillip’s early life was a million miles from the showbiz spotlight.
But he went on to find fame as a BBC children’s presenter.
It was while working there that he met Stephanie who was a production assistant at the time.
The pair married in 1993 at Ackergill Tower in Scotland, before moving to Henley-on-thames, Oxon.
They welcomed first daughter Molly later the same year, with sister Ruby coming along three years later.
Phillip has previously told viewers how he proposed by putting an engagement ring in an advent
calendar. “She opened it and I hopped out of bed starkers and got down on one knee,” he said.
His revelation to viewers about his sexuality came at 10am, as Eamonn Holmes and his wife Ruth Langsford fronted the show.
They passed over to Phillip, who was sitting alongside Holly, saying he had some “personal” news to share.
Holly then told the watching audience that she had “never been more proud of my friend” before reading his statement.
Phillip claimed his decision to come out of the closet was unprompted by any external factors. He insisted: “This is absolutely my decision.
“It was something I knew that I had to do. I don’t know how this will be taken or what people will think.”
Holly asked how he felt now that his secret, which she had known about for some time, was public knowledge.
He said: “It’s funny because you have all been so supportive, and so loving and caring and my entire family have grabbed us and said, ‘It’s OK, we love you, we’re proud of you’ and every person I tell, it gets a little lighter.
“I have made my decision, which is essential for me and essential for my head and it’s principally the reason why I’ve done this.
“Of course I’m really very aware that Steph and the girls are at home watching this, and we’re all together.
“They’ve been supporting us to this moment, they all knew it was coming.”
Quizzed on why he had chosen this moment to come out, Phillip told her: “You know that this has been bothering me for a very long time.
“Everybody does these things at their own speed, when they feel the time is right and there’s no question it has, in recent times, consumed my head. I got to the stage where I thought, ‘We sit here every day and some amazingly brave, incredible person is here and I’m listening to their story thinking, ‘I have to be that person’.”
Asked if he wanted to start a new relationship, Phillip insisted: “No, I don’t think so. I’m not thinking there. I’m doing each day at a time now and this has always been a slow process.”
Phillip said that telling his daughters had been particularly tough but they had embraced him afterwards.
“It wasn’t easy, but they are so amazing in their love and support.
“I sat them down and I told them, and they jumped up and gave me a big hug and then hugged Steph and said, ‘It’s OK’. We’ll always be a family.”
Holly, 38, then gave her pal a cuddle telling him: “Whatever happens in the future, I’ll be sat by your side, forever.”
Ruth and Eamonn, who were rumoured to have been locked in a bitter feud with Phillip, then also came over to hug him on the sofa.
And Eamonn cheekily joked he now understood why Phillip and Holly’s partners had never minded the pair hanging out together in a hot tub.
HE has described her as “like a sister” and, when he realised it was time to admit his true sexuality, to the public as well as his family, Phillip Schofield turned to Holly Willoughby for support.
He often broke down in tears as he shared his anguish, and a source close to the broadcasters said there was a “palpable feeling of relief” that the secret they had talked over during the past few months was finally out in the public domain.
A source said: “Holly loves his wife Steph and knows the two of them had been having some really difficult conversations. She was there for them both during this time and would, of course, never betray their confidence.
“This is very much Phil’s story, but it’s been a big weight on Holly’s shoulders too. But she’s just delighted it’s finally out of the open. Phil considers Holly a rock throughout all of this.”
One This Morning insider told how Schofield “had not been himself at all” on the ITV show in the past few months, saying: “It’s clear he has been struggling both behind and, to some degree, in front of the camera too.
TROUBLED
“As the minutes passed as he told his story on the sofa, and even before when he decided that today was the day, his troubled mood started to lift. Bit by bit, as the massive burden he’s carried for a long time began to ease.
“And don’t forget it has been very stressful for Holly, who has been with him through this.
“Today she also put a sword to the nonsense that they had drifted apart.”
Most staff on This Morning were “completely in the dark” before Schofield’s sudden appearance on the sofa yesterday.
It wasn’t until he arrived with an entourage, including ITV boss Kevin Lygo, that they twigged something was afoot.
A backstage source said: “It was very much a military operation. Suddenly Holly and Phil arrived with so many people and everyone wondered what was up.
“After his speech, everyone rushed up to congratulate him before he was whisked away again.” Schofield’s announcement was welcomed by equality charity Stonewall’s Jeff Ingold. He said: “It’s a hugely powerful and courageous move Phillip has made to be open about himself, particularly in the public eye at a time when everyone will have an opinion on social media. “It’s a massive moment, I think for him and for society in general. Having high-profile, visible, out
LGBT people can make a massive difference, not just to the lives of LGBT people, to be able to watch something and see themselves reflected and someone who they identify with, but also for the general public to see and hear the stories of LGBT people can go a long way in changing the way that people see and think and feel about LGBT people as a community.”
Little Britain star Matt Lucas, 45, was among the first celebrities to share their support for Schofield.
He referred to the puppet Gordon the Gopher, who appeared alongside Schofield in the Broom Cupboard on Children’s BBC in the 1980s. Lucas tweeted: “I’m not surprised about Phillip
Schofield. Growing up I remember him presenting with Gordon the Gopher from inside that closet! Joking aside, that cannot have been an easy statement to make. People come out at different stages in their lives. Good luck, Phillip xxxx.”
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan, 54, tweeted: “Takes a lot of guts to do this, not least when you’re a very public figure & know it will all be dissected in a very public way.
Sending my very best to @schofe & his family.”
Actor and singer John Barrowman, 52, who appears with Schofield on ITV series Dancing on Ice, welcomed his news and said “the nation loves you for who you are”.
On Instagram, he said: “So proud of you and your family Phillip. Welcome to your truth and authentic self.
“Can’t wait to hug you and don’t worry we got your back we are #Lgbtq+strong,” he added.
Dancing On Ice contestant and Steps star Ian “H” Watkins, 43, posted on Instagram: “Bravo Phillip for your honesty.. Coming out is difficult but
It is a hugely powerful, courageous move he has made
JEFF INGOLD SPEAKING FOR STONEWALL
your family, friends and fans will be proud of you being your authentic self. I’m proud of your bravery. Welcome officially to our beautiful rainbow family! We and our allies will keep you safe xx #lgbtq #lgbt.”
Hollyoaks star Kieron Richardson, 34, recalled the time he talked to Schofield and Willoughby about his own sexuality on This Morning in 2010.
He posted: “Phillip and Holly were the first people I told on @thismorning 10 years ago ... letting me be brave and honest and confronting my truth.
“It was the best thing I did and have nothing but love and respect for him today ALL hail scofe !!!!! ”
Fellow TV host Dermot O’leary, 46, also sent his support to Schofield on Twitter, writing: “Sending big love to the Schofield and his family, @Schofe Stand up guy, heart of a lion. X.” This Morning star Dr Ranj Singh, 40, tweeted that “coming to terms with & being your authentic self is never easy, especially in the public eye”.
He added that what Schofield had done was “incredibly courageous, powerful & will help so many. I am beaming with pride for him”. He said: “I’m even more proud of his family who seem so wonderful. #loveislove.”
Love Island celebrity Chris Hughes, 27, said Schofield was “nothing but a great guy since the first time I met him, always asking how my family are, deserves a world of happiness, and hope this bravery provides him that. Great to see.”
Pointless star Richard Osman, 49, posted: “When you create a new entertainment show and start discussing who should host, the first name on the list is always Phillip Schofield. That’s a fact. He’s just the very best at what he does, and the public adore him. Looking forward to many more years of his charm and brilliance.”
Schofield began dreaming of dazzling us with that charm and brilliance at an early age.
After a brief spell in infant school when he wanted to be a gravedigger, he knew early on that he was destined for television.
At the age of 10, he had a Ladybird book about TV, which included a map of Television Centre. By the time he was 17 years old, he had already sent 100 or more application letters, and finally landed a job as the youngest booking clerk at BBC Radio.
His success in the CBBC Broom Cupboard with the nation’s favourite puppet, Gordon the Gopher, led to a dream job on BBC1’S Saturday morning Going Live! kids’ show with Sarah Greene. He stayed for six series, from 1987 to 1993.
He took on the role of Joseph in the West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat after Jason Donovan quit in 1991. He also presented the game show Talking Telephone Numbers from 1994 to 1997. But he really shot back into mainstream TV when This Morning came knocking with the offer of a permanent job in 2002, after John Leslie’s sudden departure.
It was there, first alongside Fern Britton, and then with Holly – his own pick– that he cemented his place as the king of daytime TV.
He has presented Dancing on Ice, with Holly since 2006, and was the natural choice to co-present coverage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018.
It has all helped firmly establish him as one of TV’S biggest stars.
Your family will be proud of you for being authentic
IAN ‘H’ WATKINS STEPS & DANCING ON ICE STAR