'HOPE TO FIND PEACE'
Phillip Schofield comes out as gay – his emotional statement in full
EMOTIONAL Phillip Schofield has revealed he hopes to "find peace" as he bravely announced he is gay today.
The beloved TV host posted an incredibly moving statement on his Instagram this morning to break the news.
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The This Morning presenter, 57 - who has been married for nearly 27 years - made the revelation this morning as he paid tribute to his wife and daughters.
The presenter married Stephanie Lowe in March 1993, after meeting while she worked as a BBC production assistant and he was working for BBC children's television.
They have two daughters together, Ruby, 24, and Molly, 27.
The announcement comes just a few weeks shy of the couple's 27th wedding anniversary on March 30.
He wrote: "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 as 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."
Phillip has co-hosted the daytime show with Holly Willoughby for more than a decade, with the pair often left in fits of laughter during segments.
And Holly threw her support behind Phillip, writing on Instagram: "Never been more proud of my friend than I am today. We’ll be together at 10am on This Morning x"
Phillip's full statement:
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.
With the strength and support of my wife and 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 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, 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 wife - 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 as 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.
Phillip
He appeared on the other side of the sofa to Holly today on the ITV show, and told her: "It's tough but this is not something that's happened quickly, I've had to deal this in my head for quite some time.
"I got to the stage where I thought we sit here, every day, and some amazingly brave person is sitting over there and I'm thinking 'I have to be that person'.
"All you can be in your life is honest with yourself. I was getting to a stage in my life where I was thinking I don't really like myself because I'm not being honest with myself.
"We always say 'talk to someone'... and you must talk to someone. It's brought me back from some dark places and in some cases talking to people saves you."
Asked if he was considering a relationship with someone else at this time, Schofield said: "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 and there's no fast process after, this was the big day, and this was the day I knew that everything was pointing towards and I could not have done it if it hadn't been you, so afterwards I don't know, there's no one, I'm not rushing to anybody."
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The popular presenter first began his career in the media in 1982 - working in New Zealand radio before returning to the UK to work for the BBC.
He then hosted ITV shows including Schofield's Quest before snagging the role as This Morning presenter in 2002 with Fern Britton.
Holly then replaced Fern, with she and Phillip becoming close friends and even taking family holidays together.
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Holly Willoughby then replaced Fern, with she and Phillip becoming close friends and even taking family holidays together.