Phillip Schofield's life after coming out – sweet bond with ex, new home and awards

Phillip Schofield bravely shared some very important life changing news back in February 2020.

The This Morning presenter trembled sitting alongside his co-host and best friend Holly Willoughby.

Instead of being his normal chatty and confident self, the ITV star was the one opening up as he shared the news that he was gay with the shows loyal audience.

The TV star, 59, who fought back tears revealed how tough his life was as he battled the fear that he wasn’t living the truth.

Phillip was petrified of how people would react and whether he would be accepted but he had nothing to worry about as viewers praised him for his honesty after coming out as gay.

Family

The legendary presenter was and is still married to his wife of 29 years Stephanie Lowe.

The couple share two daughters together Molly, 28, and Ruby 25.

He explained how his family had been so supportive as they enjoyed theatre nights out last year.

He said: “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.”

Speaking to Holly, Phil confirmed no one else was on the scene and finding a new partner was at the bottom of his list of priorities.

Phil confirmed after the This Morning interview on Chris Evans’ podcast, How to WOW: “I’m still married to Steph. With divorce… We’ve not discussed that at all.”

Before breaking the news to the world, Phil told Ryan Tubridy on RTÉ One’s The Late Late Show how his life had “got that dark” he had to “save himself.”

The star recalled visiting his mother in Cornwall, who is in her eighties, and revealed the news to her.

He said: “She had already asked me months before, ‘Are you OK, you look skinny… You look sad, I know there’s something wrong’.”

Phillip’s mum initially believed he was down due to a condition which causes his eyes to blur.

He revealed: “I said ‘Mum, I have something to tell you’, and I told her and she said ‘Oh, oh right okay, thank god for that, I thought you were going blind… Those things in your eyes.

“‘That’s alright, so long as you are okay and Steph’s okay and the girls are okay.'”

Since coming out to his mother the star described her as “this incredibly modern, forward-thinking 84-year-old” who he now has “really good solid chats” with.

Autobiography

Since revealing the news Phillip has put pen to paper and written an autobiography, Life Is What You Make It.

At the time, Phil said his weight had dramatically dropped to nine stone due to stress as he wrote the statement which “nuked” his life.

However, everyone stood by him and Holly helped him take the leap.

He said: “I remember so vividly that moment where I had written that statement and my thumb was hesitating over the phone and I thought, ‘This is when I nuke my life and those around me.'”

Soon after the announcement, the coronavirus pandemic hit and the country locked down.

Phillip stayed at his £2million family home in Henley, Oxon and spent his time documenting his journey in an autobiography.

It the book, he slammed accusations of him misleading his wife Steph.

He said: “I didn’t know I was gay when I married Steph. If I had, I wouldn’t have got married.

“When things got really dark, [Steph] reminded me how much they all loved me and that there was nothing that the four of us couldn’t cope with.”

New home

In the September after making the announcement Phillip left his £2million family home in Oxon for a large £2million semi-detached bachelor pad in Chiswick London.

The TV presenters new home is near ITV’s Declan Donnelly’s home as well as Ant McPartlin’s house.

Neighbours told the Daily Mail that they had seen Phil around the property regularly since he moved in.

One neighbour said: “It’s caused quite a stir since he’s moved in and got people very excited.

“He seems like a very nice man and quite normal. You see him walking or cycling mainly and he smiles every time he goes past.”

Another added: “There are quite a few famous people already living around here so Phillip Schofield moving in is not a big deal.

“A lot of people have been talking about it, but nobody bothers him. He’s a lovely bloke and I’m sure he’ll enjoy living in our community.”

The This Morning host also applied to convert a garage at his family home into a bachelor pad.

According to The Sun, Phil planned to knock down one garage and build a small home which features a sitting room, kitchen, a guest bedroom, an ensuite bathroom and floor-to-ceiling windows.

A source said: “Phillip and Steph are getting on really well and are in no rush to make any big decisions.

“This annexe can be used by any member of the family at any time – and is a great investment long-term, adding value to the property.”

LGBT award

Last year, Phillip received a special recognition award at the LGBT awards.

The star burst into tears after the announcement and said how “proud” he was in his acceptance speech.

He said: “Wow. This is a biggie. What a proud moment for me personally.

“I’ve never won any award individually. Any award you win as a team that’s there propping you up and definitely, that’s the case with this one.”

He continued: “I had the most extraordinary people that helped me pack the parachute before the jump.

“Friends and family, loved ones and then there was an enormous amount of rainbow arms outstretched to catch me when I reached the bottom of my jump.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk