Joan Collins claimed that “everybody knew” Phillip Schofield was gay ahead of his brave announcement on Friday morning.
The 57-year-old ITV star came out as gay in a statement over social media, before opening up about the experience on This Morning.
Discussing the announcement on Good Morning Britain today, veteran actress Joan divided viewers with her comments.
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid invited a panel of celebs into the studio for their Oscars special, including Joan, Kelly and Sharon Osbourne, and showbiz journalist Perez Hilton.
Piers raised the subject of Phillip’s announcement, welcoming a discussion with the star-studded panel.
He said: “Have we not reached a stage now of tolerance and acceptance where actually making a public statement about your sexuality almost feels…why are we still making people go through this?”
Dame Joan voiced her opinion on this morning’s installment of GMB (Image: ITV)
Dame Joan, 86, replied: “Why did he have to do that, it seemed like he was living a fine life. Everybody who knew him knew he was gay. Why does he want to tell everybody and confess?
“We so take for granted today that people are gay or lesbian or trans that it seems a little odd to make a big…”
Kelly Osbourne interjected, saying: “I loved Phillip Schofield when I thought he was straight and I love him now that I know he is gay.”
Phillip made the powerful announcement last Friday on This Morning (Image: ITV)
Joan added: “What was the reason he suddenly felt he needed to go public with this when a lot of people already knew. I mean, we all knew.”
Over on Twitter, viewers were left divided over Joan’s comments, with one branding it as “disrespectful” to Phillip.
One said: “Joan Collins is the family member with no filter and she has been given the opportunity to speak.”
Kelly Osbourne was quick to interrupt Dame Joan in the panel conversation (Image: ITV)
A second added: “Gentle reminder to Joan Collins and the rest of the population. Someone’s sexuality is nobody’s business nor is the reason why they choose to become public. Speculation is disrespectful.”
And a third chimed: “Mistake discussing Phillip Schofield coming out with Joan Collins.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
