Inside Phil’s new single life
How things have changed since he came out last year
It’s been over a year since Phillip Schofield bravely came out as gay live on This Morning after sharing an emotional statement on Instagram. He said, “With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay. This is something that has caused many heartbreaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby.” In October, Phil, 59, said he and wife Steph, 57, remained married and hadn’t discussed divorce. “We are picking our way through and however that works, and it’s a work in progress,” he said.
However, in recent months, the pair have seemingly taken steps to carve separate lives away from one another. Recently, Phil was seen out for a boozy lunch with his ITV pals Rochelle Humes, 32, Christine and Frank Lampard, both 42, and his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby, 40, and her husband Dan Baldwin, 46. And while Steph would usually be in attendance at these lunches, she was nowhere to be seen on this occasion. Steph also used to appear on Phil’s Instagram page regularly – even after he came out – in selfies and family photos, but he hasn’t posted a photo on his Instagram page with her and their kids since September. While we’re sure they’re still as close as ever, this may suggest that they are adjusting to their new lives.
Last autumn, Phil reportedly splashed out £2million on a large semidetached pad in Chiswick, London, close to showbiz star Dec Donnelly and only a few miles from Holly. That same month, it was claimed he was also converting the garage of their family home in Oxfordshire into a bachelor pad, so he could split his time between the two properties.
But having his own place near his celeb pals in London is certainly handy, as Phil is often out and about socialising in the city, recently enjoying lunch with former fellow Broom Cupboard presenter and This Morning colleague Andi Peters, 50. His friendship with Holly has also gone from strength to strength, as they have leaned on each other throughout the difficult last year. In a recent interview, he said, “I think how lucky I am to have been able to have worked through all of this and to have had the therapy that Holly has given me all the way through.”
Neighbours also welcomed him to the area, with one saying, “A lot of people have been talking about
‘It’s caused quite a stir’
it, but nobody bothers him. He’s a lovely bloke. I’m sure he’ll enjoy living in our community.” Another added, “It’s caused quite a stir since he’s moved in and got people very excited. He seems like a very nice man and quite normal. You see him walking or cycling mainly, and he smiles every time he goes past.”
As well as a busy social life, Phil is leading a more active lifestyle, with cycling being one of his new hobbies. He often shares photos of his bike rides, and that’s just one of the things he’s been doing since upping his fitness. During the third national lockdown, he shared a photo of his bulging biceps, saying, “Well, if there’s an upside to lockdown three. My training has given me tiny guns.”
While Phil looks like he’s enjoying single life, he remains a doting dad to daughters Molly, 28, and Ruby, 25. Last year, he said, “My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort.” After he came out, the whole family still went on a holiday together to Paris, and they continue to thrive, with Molly working for her dad as an assistant talent manager at management company YMU. He said, “I don’t post anything without [my daughters’] say-so. I check with them, ‘Is this OK?’ But they’re fine with it. My eldest daughter is my manager, so she’s well across it all.” Whereas Ruby has been trying her hand at various roles since studying psychology at Leeds Beckett University. She interned at ITV, has been doing some charity work for The Chiltern Centre, and trekking Machu Picchu for Teenage Cancer Trust. Both girls have longterm boyfriends, who Phil also seems to be close to, as they all spent lockdown together last year.
There’s been lots of speculation on whether Phil’s looking for love, as he previously hinted at a potential date, saying, “I am about to be taken out to lunch for the first time since March.” Graham Norton even said, “I imagine Pip has some secret boyfriend squirrelled away somewhere. I’m sure he has.”
But it seems he won’t be making any announcements anytime soon, as a source told The Sun, “Phillip is in no hurry to meet someone new, but obviously the word has now been mooted, albeit in very loose and casual terms.” Who knows what the future will hold for Phil, but we’re delighted he’s so happy.