Phillip Schofield reduced Holly Willoughby to tears on Sunday evening when her co-star hugged crew at Dancing On Ice after coming out as gay.
Before the ITV skating show went live, Phillip, 57, stopped rehearsals to address the “elephant in the room” following his announcement on Friday.
Professional skater Matt Evers, who was given the boot on Sunday’s live show alongside celebrity partner Ian “H” Watkins, has dished the dirt on what happened behinds the scenes.
Speaking to Heart.co.uk, Gemma Collins’ pal Matt said: “It was a really nice atmosphere in the studio.
Phillip Schofield halted Dancing On Ice rehearsals on Sunday to “address the elephant in the room” (Image: ITV)
“I think at one point in rehearsals he kind of stopped production and said, ‘OK I just need to say this, I don’t want to be the elephant in the room anymore, if you want to give me a hug, give me a hug.’
“He was very sensitive to the viewers at home as well and he kind of wanted to get that out in dress rehearsal before we were live and it was a really nice moment.”
Matt went on to reveal that telly favourite Holly, 39, teared up as Phillip chatted to members of the Dancing On Ice team.
He said: “Holly teared up and there was about five or six of us that were stood around at him at that point and we just all kind of gave him a hug and said, ‘Do you know what, you’re gonna be fine.’
Ian ‘H’ Watkins and Matt Evers were eliminated during Sunday’s show (Image: ITV)
“Anybody that goes through that at whatever point in their life, when you start living your real truth, you just become more of a loving person, and not that he wasn’t loving previously, but there’s a weight that is lifted off of your shoulders.”
Phillip revealed he is gay in an Instagram post before an emotional appearance on This Morning with best pal Holly.
The ITV star has been married to wife Stephanie Lowe, 55, for 27 year and they share two daughters, Molly and Ruby.
A host of famous faces flooded Phillip with supportive comments including Dancing On Ice stars John Barrowman and Ashley Banjo.
Phil spoke on This Morning on Friday about coming out after being married for almost 27 years (Image: ITV)
During the live recording of Dancing On Ice on Sunday, Diversity star Ashley, speaking on behalf of the judges, said: “Phil, it’s been a big week, you’ve always been a legend but never more so than than this week.”
“It’s not about me, it’s not about me,” Phillip insisted, with the show going on as normal afterwards.
Dancing On Ice returns to ITV on Sunday at 6pm
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
