This Morning’s Phillip Schofield and Dame Kelly Holmes in tears as she opens up on battle with her hidden sexuality

PHILLIP Schofield was left in tears during Monday's episode of This Morning as Dame Kelly Holmes opened up about her decision to come out.

The Olympian, 52, revealed at the weekend that she is gay after living with the secret of her hidden sexuality for decades.

During a chat with Phillip, 60, and his This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby, Dame Kelly confessed that keeping such a big part of her life hidden for so long caused her to have a breakdown in 2020.

She said: "I'd been in a bad way and in 2020 I had a breakdown. I couldn't release it I didn't know what I was going to do, so I had to do it."

Phil, who remarked how it wasn't that long ago he was sitting in Kelly's seat having the same conversation with Holly, became visibly moved during the interview.

Choking back tears, he asked Kelly: "How do you feel now?"

An emotional Kelly replied: "I am relieved to finally do it, but it's hard to unravel everything.

"I know the relief will come gradually and the responses have really helped me."

Towards the end of the chat Phillip asked Kelly to nod her head if there is someone special in her life, and she did.

Viewers flocked to Twitter to share their thoughts on the moving interview.

One wrote: "Oh Phil. Tears in your eyes at the end of that chat with Kelly Holmes, I hope there’s someone special in your life too, just nod your head."

Another said: "What a beautiful woman you are no matter what your sexual preference! You are still our hero. So sad to see your struggles."

And a third added: "So brave and courageous Dame Kelly Holmes - a magnificent interview on @thismorning. Wishing you love, happiness, liberation, empowerment and peace."