This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield announced he was gay in an emotional statement on social media on Friday, before taking to the sofa to discuss the news with his co-host Holly Willoughby.
As he spoke about how his family, wife Stephanie Lowe and their two daughters Ruby and Molly, were coping with the news, he got emotional as he described his “astonishing” wife.
Stephanie, who married Phillip in 1993, has finally broken her silence, telling The Sun on Sunday: “We have had to face the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage.”
An insider who is close to the couple also told the Mirror: “She and the girls love him very much and will support him as much as they can, but the knowledge they have been living a lie for so long is terribly hurtful.”
“It’s humiliating to think that you’re married to someone who doesn’t love you the way you love them.”
Phillip and Stephanie have been married for 27 years (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
It has also been revealed that Stephanie doesn’t plan to divorce Phillip until he has found love with someone else, and won’t take him to court over half of his £8m fortune.
On the show, Phillip said of his wife: “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.
Phillip came out as gay to Holly Willoughby on This Morning on Friday (Image: ITV)
“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.”
His daughter Molly has also since broken her silence, posting on Instagram a picture of the four of them looking happy on holiday together.
She captioned the picture: “Love you always, so proud of you,” tagging her dad in the post.
Phillip’s daughter Molly has spoken out in support of him (Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Phillip has also admitted that he knew he was gay when he first married Stephanie 27 years ago.
He told The Sun on Sunday: “I must have been gay when I wed but I was so happy I never considered it.
“I am not saying I didn’t know whatever was there. I thought ‘OK whatever this is, you stay back because I am happy’.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
