Phillip Schofield receives outpouring of love and support after courageously coming out as gay
Phillip Schofield’s This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby shared this selfie of the pair after he came out as gay. (Instagram)
Phillip Schofield has been applauded by celebrity friends and the LGBT+ community after coming out as gay, aged 57.
Schofield made his announcement on Instagram shortly before appearing on ITV’s This Morning.
“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.
“With the strength and support of my wife and daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.”
Holly Willoughby, Schofield’s This Morning co-host, was amongst first to pay tribute to the presented.
She said she’d “never been more proud of my friend that I am today”, sharing a picture of the pair to Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Never been more proud of my friend than I am today. We’ll be together at 10am on This Morning x
Appearing with Schofield on This Morning, Willoughby promised: “Whatever happens in the future I’ll be sat by your side… Forever and ever.”
The pair were joined by Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, who said they would be “the first to stand beside” him.
“Nobody should feel bad about their sexuality,” said Holmes.
Schofield’s Dancing On Ice colleague John Barrowman said he was “so proud.”
“Welcome to your truth and authentic self,” he wrote on Instagram.
Dancing On Ice contestant Ian ‘H’ Watkins sent a similar message of support, welcoming Schofield “officially to our beautiful rainbow family.”
‘We and our allies will keep you safe,” he added.
Comedian Matt Lucas joked about presenting children’s TV show Gordon the Gopher with Schofield “from inside the closet”.
“Joking aside, that cannot have been an easy statement to make,” he tweeted.
“People come out at different stages in their lives. Good luck Philip xxxx.”
I’m not surprised about Philip Schofield. Growing up I remember him presenting with Gordon the Gopher from inside that closet! Joking aside, that cannot have been an easy statement to make. People come out at different stages in their lives. Good luck Philip xxxx
— Matt Lucas (@RealMattLucas) February 7, 2020
Activist Owen Jones sent “love and support” to Schofield, writing: ‘When someone with a public platform comes out, it helps people who are struggling with their sexuality.’
It’s up to all LGBTQ people how or when or whether they come out. But when someone with a public platform comes out, it helps people who are struggling with their sexuality. Love and support to @Schofe ?️? https://t.co/po209ES3U8
— Owen Jones? (@OwenJones84) February 7, 2020
Dermot O’Leary sent his love Phillip Schofield and his family.
Sending big love to the Schofield and his family, @Schofe Stand up guy, heart of a lion. X
— Dermot O’Leary (@radioleary) February 7, 2020
Pointless host Richard Osman paid tribute to Schofield’s showmanship.
“When you create a new entertainment show and start discussing who should host, the first name on the list is always Phillip Schofield,” he tweeted.
“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.”
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.
— Richard Osman (@richardosman) February 7, 2020
Stonewall sent its congratulations to Phillip Schofield for his ‘incredibly brave and moving’ announcement that he’s gay.
Incredibly brave and moving announcement from Phillip Schofield this morning. It takes a lot of courage and is always a hugely personal decision to be open about who you are. Congrats Phillip ? https://t.co/TY32BaL2vL
— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) February 7, 2020
Twitter’s LGBT+ community came out in solidarity with Phillip Schofield.
Coming out is incredibly difficult and confusing whether you’re 17 or 57, and always a positive move in the fullness of time. Solidarity with @Schofe and his family today.
— Nick Levine (@mrnicklevine) February 7, 2020
Journalist Louis Staples gave a timely reminder that saying ‘I knew’ is never helpful when somebody has come out.
a reminder that “I always knew!” is not a clever or helpful reaction when someone comes out as gay. it minimizes their struggle and reeks of homophobic assumptions
— Louis Staples (@LouisStaples) February 7, 2020
Guardian journalist Chris Godfrey joked that Alan Carr’s ‘long run as middle-England’s favourite gay’ has now come to an end.
Feel bad for @AlanCarr, whose long run as middle-England’s favourite gay comes to an end now that Phillip Schofield has come out. Thank you for your service Alan.
— Chris Godfrey (@ChrisPJGodfrey) February 7, 2020
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