‘I had to be honest with myself’ — Phillip Schofield comes out as gay, after 27 years of marriage

Phillip Schofield, a veteran British TV presenter, has revealed he is gay — after 27 years of marriage to Stephanie Lowe, his wife.

Schofield brought this revelation to light in a lengthy post shared on his social media page on Friday. He also revealed how he’s been struggling with his sexuality for years.

“You never know what’s going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing – and so you won’t know what has been consuming me for the last few years,” he wrote on his Instagram story.

“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 heart-breaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby. My family have held me so close – they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion. Yet still I can’t sleep and there have been some very dark moments.

“My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. 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.

“Steph has been incredible – I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met. My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort. Both mine and Steph’s entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support.

“Of course they are worried about Steph, but I know they will scoop us both up. My friends are the best, especially Holly, who has been so kind and wise – and who has hugged me as I sobbed on her shoulder. At ITV, I couldn’t hope to work with more wonderful, supportive teams.

“Every day on This Morning, I sit in awe of those we meet who have been brave and open in confronting their truth – so now it’s my turn to share mine. This will probably all come as something of a surprise and I understand, but only by facing this, by being honest, can I hope to find peace in my mind and a way forward.

“Please be kind, especially to my family.”

Schofield works with ITV as a co-presenter of various programmes including ‘This Morning’ and ‘Dancing on Ice.’

He also confirmed this while being interviewed by Holly Willoughby, his co-host on ‘This Morning,‘ during Friday’s edition of the programme.

The 57-year-old explained he’s managed to be quiet about his sexuality for a long time, but had to come out as it has “become an issue in my head”.

“You know this has been bothering me for a very long time,” he said.

“All you can be in your life is honest with yourself and I was getting to the point where I knew I wasn’t honest with myself. I was getting to the point where I didn’t like myself very much because I wasn’t being honest with myself.

“[Coming out] is my decision. This is absolutely my decision. It was something I knew that I had to do. I don’t know what the world will be like now. I don’t know how this will be taken or what people will think.”

He however, revealed that despite declaring he is gay, he has no intention of going into any relationship with a man soon.

Schofield has been married to Stephanie for nearly 27 years. The union has been blessed with two grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby.