This Morning staff were not aware Phillip Schofield was planning on coming out live on TV.
ITV insiders have claimed they were left in the dark by the revelation but immediately rushed to congratulate him once the emotional segment was over.
“It was very much a military operation,” a source explained.
“Suddenly Holly and Phil arrived with so many people and everyone wondered what was up.”
They added to The Mirror: “After his speech, everyone rushed up to congratulate him before he was whisked away again.”
Phillip Schofield came out to Holly Willoughby on This Morning on Friday (Image: ITV)
As a nervous Phillip sat on the sofa, Holly read out his statement.
“You may have seen on social just now that Phillip has put out a statement about something very very personal to him,” Holly explained.
“I have never been more proud of my friend than I am today… we are going to do this together.”
Insiders claim that This Morning staff had no idea what was going to happen on the show (Image: ITV)
She added: “You won’t know that 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.”
Asked why he was announcing it now, Phillip said: “It’s a good question, the thing is you know this has been bothering me for a very long time, everybody does these things at their own speed, when they think the time is right.
Phillip has encouraged others to be honest about their sexuality (Image: ITV)
“It has consumed my head, and has become an issue in my head.”
He added: “All you can be in your life is honest with yourself and I was getting to the point where I wasn’t being honest with myself and I didn’t like myself very much because I wasn’t being honest with myself.”
This Morning continues on Monday at 10am on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
