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Phillip Schofield has announced he is gay.

The This Morning presenter, 57, took to Instagram on Friday morning to reveal the news in a lengthy and impassioned post before appearing on the magazine show to discuss his announcement with his co-star and best friend Holly Willoughby, during which he broke down in tears.  

After 27 years of marriage to his wife Steph, he has now revealed that he has suffered 'inner conflict' and is now ready to 'celebrate and be proud' of his sexuality, yet insists he is not thinking about a new relationship.

'Feeling lighter and lighter': Phillip Schofield has announced he is gay in an impassioned post shared to Instagram before appearing on This Morning to discuss the news with his co-star Holly Willoughby

Phillip, who shares daughters Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24, with his wife, spoke on This Morning about his battles with keeping his secret and the relief of coming out. Phil met Stephanie when she was a BBC production Assistant and he was working for the BBC Children's television.

The couple's last public appearance was at the National Television Awards last Wednesday. They appeared together on festive show How to Spend It Well at Christmas in December. 

Kicking off the subject on This Morning, supportive Holly said: 'I think we all just take a breath at that point, reading that I can hear your voice, the pain, how difficult it is for you, this is a big day. I know this is something you've been living with for a really long time'.

Phil responded: 'It's funny because everyone I've spoken to, and you, have all been so supportive and so loving and caring, and my entire family to a person have grabbed us and said it's ok, we love you we're proud of you... 

A friend in need... Holly proved the depth of their friendship as she supported him during the announcement 

Candid: Kicking off the subject on This Morning, Holly said: 'I think we all just take a breathe at that point, reading that I can hear your voice the pain how difficult it is for you, this is a big day, I know this is something you've been living with for a really long time'

Speaking about telling his daughters, he said: 'I wasn't easy [telling my daughters]. But they are so amazing in their love and support. They jumped up and gave me a hug, a big hug, a long hug' (pictured in public together for the last time before coming out at National Television Awards last week)

'Every person I tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter, at the same time I have made this decision which is essential for me and essential for my head and that is principally the reason I have done this. They have been supporting while we get to this moment because we all know it was coming... 

'We've never had any secrets. It is tough but it's not something that has happened quickly, I have had to deal with this in my head for quite some time, we've gone through this together, we have been honest and have been open and Stephanie as I said, you know'.

Quick to lavish praise on his wife, he said: 'She's amazing, she's incredible, there's no one in my life who would have supported me. As a wife the way she's supported me, she's astonishing, literally astonishing, it's a good questions, you know this has been bothered me for a very long time...

'Everyone does these things at their own speed in their own time when the time is right, there's no question it has in recent times consumed my head, and has become an issue in my head, and so I got to the stage where I thought we sit here every day and I'm over there and some amazingly brave incredible person is sitting here and I'm listening to their story and thinking oh my God you're so brave, and I'm thinking I have to be that person.

Breaking down: Quick to lavish praise on his wife, he said: 'She's amazing, she's incredible there's no one in my life'

'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 didn't like myself very much, so when is the right time to do it? And you know as a family, you know it is the right time.'

Speaking about Holly, Phil said: 'This is the sister I've never had.' And speaking to the crew, he said: 'I'm very proud of this unbelievable team, you are all amazing and I love you very much.' 

Before the show went live, Holly threw her support behind her This Morning co-host, sharing a selfie of the pair behind the scenes on Dancing On Ice. 

She wrote: 'Never been more proud of my friend than I am today. We'll be together at 10am on This Morning x'. 

Holly said she will be sat by his side 'whatever happens' in the future, and the crew then gave him a round of applause, and he was embraced by Ruth Langsford. 

In a shock move, he was supported by rumoured enemies Ruth and Eamonn Holmes, with whom he has been locked in a 'civil war' behind the scenes on ITV. The married couple walked on to the set to hug the star.   

'I've no secrets': Full transcript from Phillip Schofield's interview with Holly Willoughby on This Morning

'It's funny because, everyone I've spoken to, you, have all been so supportive and so loving and caring.

'And my entire family to a person have grabbed us and said it's OK, it's OK, we love you, we're proud of you.

'And every person I tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter but at the same time, you know, I have made this decision which is essential for me and essential for my head and that's principally the decision 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, and we spent a lot of time together, we spend a lot of time together obviously.

'And they've been supporting us as we got to this moment and we all knew it was coming.

A pillar of support: TV presenter Phillip Schofield on ITV's This Morning talking with Holly Willoughby today about his announcement that he is gay

'So, yeah, I mean I feel a little lighter, but I'm also very aware, there's no question that it causes pain and it causes upset. I've no secrets. We've never had any secrets. Tough, it is tough, but this is not something that's happened quickly. I've had to deal with this in my head for quite some time.

'We've gone through this together and we've been honest and we've been open. Steph, as I said, I can't write in any statement what I feel about that women.

'She is amazing, she's incredible. There's no one in my life who would have supported me the way, as a wife, as the way she supported me. She's astonishing, literally astonishing.

'It's a good question (why now). You know this has been bothering me for a very long time and I think everybody does these things at their own speed, at their own time, when they feel the time is right.

'I've no secrets': Full transcript from Phillip Schofield's interview with Holly Willoughby on This Morning

'And there's no question that it has in recent times consumed my head and has become an issue in my head.

'And so I got to the stage where I thought we sit here every day, and I'm over there and some amazingly brave incredible person is sitting here, and I'm listening to their story and thinking 'oh my God, you're so brave, oh my God, you're so brave'.

'And I'm thinking 'I have to be that person, I have to be that person'. I think all you can be in your life is honest with yourself. 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.

'And so, when is the right time, when is the right time to do it? And as a family, it's the right time.

'There are people around the world, there are people in this country, there will be people watching this, and we always say talk to someone, and believe me, believe me, when we say that and we do say that a lot on this show, you must talk to someone, you must talk to someone, i have and it's helped a lot.

'And it's brought me back - i mentioned those dark places in the statement – talking to people does bring you back. And in some cases talking to people saves you. You have to discuss it, with my friends, with my family, with my wife, we've talked it through – and we have to talk it through.

'This is my decision, this is absolutely my decision. It was something I knew that I had to do. And 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 said: 'But at the same time I will sit here and say actually, I'm proud of myself today. And I am proud of myself today'

'But would I say is that yes, I am very conscious of the hurt, and so my overriding emotion with my family is obviously going to be guilt, because I do feel guilty that this can't be anything other than a painful process for them.

'But at the same time I will sit here and say actually, I'm proud of myself today. And I am proud of myself today. It wasn't easy but they (my daughters) were, they are so amazing in their love and support.

'I sat them down and I told them and they jumped up and they gave me a hug, a big hug, a long hug, and then they hugged Steph and they said it's OK, we'll be OK, we'll always be a family, always us four, is what we always call ourselves. We'll always be that.

'It was the same with my mum, my mum is watching this today. She's been on the phone this morning – hope you're OK. I went down to see her, she's down in Cornwall, and I went down to see her. And I told her and she said 'oh, OK, well, I don't care' - and that's the same with everyone.

'No I don't think so (thinking about future relationships) - I'm not thinking there. I'm doing each day at a time now, this has always been a slow process and there is no fast process after this.

'This was the big day and this was the day that I knew everything was pointing towards and I could not have don't it if it hadn't been you. So afterwards I don't know, but no, there's no one, I'm not rushing out to anybody.'

His side of the story: Phillip was open and honest during the appearance in which he chatted to his good friend

The Schofields: The family are pictured at the premiere of Return to Neverland in 2002

Eamonn said: 'Nobody should be embarrassed about their sexuality. It's fantastic you have spoken you. We are all here by your side. We will be the first to stand beside you.' 

Ruth told Phil: 'And breathe.' Eamonn joked he thought Phil was going to say he had resigned and that he could have his job. 

Speaking about telling his daughters, he said: 'It wasn't easy [telling my daughters]. But they are so amazing in their love and support. They jumped up and gave me a hug, a big hug, a long hug...

'They hugged Steph and said, 'It's OK, this is fine.' We will always be a family. We'll always be that. My mum has been on the phone all morning, 'Hope you're OK.' I told her and she said, 'OK, I don't care.' And that's the same with everyone.'  

Supportive: In a surprise move, he was supported by his rumoured enemies Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, with whom he has been locked in a 'civil war' behind the scenes on ITV. The married couple walked on to the set to hug the star

Way back when: Phillip's career started on TV show Going Live! in 1987 alongside Gordon the Gopher before taking over the role as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from Jason Donovan in 1991 

Speaking about how his mum Pat reacted: ‘It was the same with my mum, my mum is watching this today. She’s been on the phone this morning – hope you’re OK. I went down to see her, she’s down in Cornwall, and I went down to see her. And I told her and she said 'oh, OK, well, I don't care' - and that's the same with everyone.' 

Asked about a potential new relationship, he said: 'I don't think so, I'm not thinking there. I'm doing each day at a time now. This has always been a slow process. There is no fast process after this. This was the day I knew everything was pointed towards. I couldn't have done it if it hadn't been you.'

Fans rushed to Twitter to express their support for the TV personality's brave revelation. One wrote: 'Didnt see that coming rock on phillip hope you find happiness and love all the best hugs and love'.

Another shared, 'Such a brave thing to open up about', while a third added, 'It doesn’t change who you are! Stay strong silver fox!!!' 'Just seeing you now live on air @Schofe - brave man you look so upset. It will all be ok, with the support of your lovely family, friends and colleagues', another posted.

In his original statement shared to social media, Phillip wrote: '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 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... 

Speaking about how his mum Pat reacted: ‘It was the same with my mum, my mum is watching this today'

'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 us.

'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 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'.  

If you have been affected by this article or would like support on LGBT related-issues, you can contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 330 3030 or email helpline@lgbt.foundation 

Ruth was supporting Phillip through the appearance which left viewers touched

 Phillip's outpouring of support from the showbiz world

Holly threw her support behind This Morning co-host Phillip after the TV veteran came out as gay on Friday.

Taking to Instagram, Holly, 38, expressed her pride for Schofield, with whom she has presented the daily chat show since 2009, alongside a picture of the pair at an awards ceremony. She wrote: 'Never been more proud of my friend than I am today. We’ll be together at 10am on This Morning.'

Moments earlier Schofield, 57, took to Instagram to reveal the news in a lengthy and impassioned post before appearing on the magazine show to discuss the news with co-star and best friend Holly.

Proud: Holly Willoughby has thrown her support behind This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield after the TV veteran came out as gay on Friday

After 27 years of marriage to his wife Steph, he has now revealed that he has suffered 'inner conflict' and is now ready to 'celebrate and be proud' of his sexuality.

Commending the star, TV doctor Ranj Singh reposted the presenter's statement, writing: 'Coming to terms with & being your authentic self is never easy, especially in the public eye.

'What @Schofe has done is incredibly courageous, powerful & will help so many. I am beaming with pride for him. I'm even more proud of his wonderful family who seem so wonderful.'

Proud: Commending the star, TV doctor Ranj Singh - a regular guest on This Morning - admitted he was bursting with pride 

Fellow presenter Richard Osman added: '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.'

Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins, who works with Schofield on Sunday night talent show Dancing On Ice, wrote: 'Bravo Phillip for your honesty.. Coming out is difficult but 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 ally’s will keep you safe.'

High praise: Fellow presenter Richard Osman also credited the star on Friday morning 

Taking to Twitter, Dermot O'Leary paid tribute to the star, writing: 'Sending big love to the Schofield and his family, @Schofe Stand up guy, heart of a lion.'

Schofield, who shares daughters Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24, with his wife, spoke on This Morning about his battles with keeping his secret and the relief of coming out.

He met Stephanie when she was a BBC production Assistant and he was working for the BBC Children’s television.

He said at the time: 'You'd have thought someone wouldn't be attracted to a man with a puppet and dodgy jumpers! She worked in television years ago, that was how we met, so she can do it, she just doesn't want to these days.'

Well done Phillip: Stars including Dermot O'Leary, Example and Keith Lemon moved to congratulate the presenter 

The moment Phillip Schofield and Ruth Langsford's feud thawed: Presenter wraps her arms around host after he comes out as gay

Ruth Langsford threw her arms around Phillip Schofield as they appeared to put their feud to bed after he came out as gay on Friday's episode of This Morning.

The This Morning presenter, 57, took to Instagram on Friday morning to reveal the news in a lengthy and impassioned post before appearing on the magazine show to discuss the news with his co-star and best friend Holly Willoughby during which he broke down in tears. 

Following his announcement, Ruth, 59, and Eamonn, 60, joined Phil and Holly on screen and offered them both a hug before sitting down on the sofa.

 After wrapping her arms around Phil, Ruth could be heard asking him if he felt 'better' after telling viewers the truth about his sexuality, which he claimed had been 'filling his head' for a long time now.

Friends? Ruth Langsford threw her arms around Phillip Schofield as they appeared to put their feud to bed after he came out as gay on Friday's episode of This Morning

Slammed: Following his announcement, Ruth, 59, and Eamonn, 60, joined Phil and Holly on screen and offered them both a hug before sitting down on the sofa

During his impassioned announcement, Phil revealed that he was getting to the stage where he 'no longer liked himself', which may have been a reference to his ongoing row with Ruth. 

Ruth is said to have previously made a formal complaint against him due to the 'toxic' backstage atmosphere the alleged feud has created. 

However it seems judging by their friendly display during the latest episode of the daytime TV show that their bitter feud has been dispelled by Phil’s announcement. 

 Eamonn Holmes is slammed by fans for 'ruining' Phillip Schofield's announcement that he is gay as he makes 'tacky' hot tub joke and admits he thought he was getting his job

Eamonn Holmes has been slammed by fans for 'ruining' Phillip Schofield's heartfelt announcement that he is gay on Friday's episode of This Morning.

Viewers were left outraged after the Irish presenter, 57, made a 'tacky' hot tub joke and quipped that he thought he was getting his job just minutes after Phil, 57, broke down in tears live on television after coming out. 

Phillip, who has been married to wife Steph for 27 years, revealed earlier on Friday in an emotional Instagram message that he is ready to 'celebrate' his sexuality after suffering years of 'inner conflict'.

The television star then appeared on This Morning's sofa on Friday to be interviewed by his best friend and co-host Holly, 38, as the two broke down in tears over the heartfelt announcement. After Phillip's emotional interview, Eamonn and wife Ruth Langsford, who present the Friday show, joined the duo on the sofa.  

'Tacky': Viewers were left outraged after the Irish presenter, 57, made a 'tacky' hot tub joke and quipped that he thought he was getting his job just minutes after Phil, 57, broke down in tears live on television after coming out

Showing their support to the ITV star, Eamonn said: 'Nobody should be embarrassed about their sexuality.'

To which Phillip awkwardly responded: 'I'm not,' with Eamonn adding: 'It's fantastic you have spoken. We are all here by your side. We will be the first to stand beside you. It's brilliant, mate, as long as Steph and the girls are happy.' 

Eamonn went on to joke that he was told the television star would be making an announcement and he thought he would be resigning so he could get his job.   

He quipped: 'I am disappointed in a couple of ways, first of all, I thought "big announcement from Phillip" I thought you were going to come in and announce you had resigned and I would take your job, so that wasn't to be.'   

While he went on to joke about Phillip spending so much time with Holly in a hot tub, even poking fun at her 'Willoughbooby' nickname.