Phillip Schofield’s momentous coming out is already inspiring fans to open up about their own sexuality
Phillip Schofield with This Morning co-host Holly Willoughby (Gareth Cattermole/Getty)
Phillip Schofield has come out as gay, and he has already inspired This Morning viewers to open up about their own sexualities.
Two callers, who identified themselves as ‘Kerry’ and ‘Reece’, told the show’s agony aunt Deirdre Sanders that his decision to come out as gay at 57 had inspired them to be more open.
Sanders told the callers that coming out to themselves was the “initial battle” and heaped praise on the This Morning host for encouraging others to open up.
“I’d be so happy if Phillip’s example today has helped you come out. He’s set a great example,” she said.
Phillip Schofield has been met with love, support and encouragement since he came out as gay.
Schofield has been showered with praise since he came out as gay in a statement posted to Instagram earlier today.
Vic Tanner Davy of diversity charity Liberate told ITV News that coming out can be “daunting,” but doing so would be “extremely helpful” to others.
I’d be so happy if Phillip’s example today has helped you come out. He’s set a great example.
“Coming out can be an anxious time, however by the time you reach the decision to come out, the alternative of living a half-life, where you are hiding who you are, facing long-term unhappiness, bouts of depression and other mental health illness, is no longer an option,” he said.
Schofield has also been praised by public figures ranging from Matt Lucas to Guardian columnist Owen Jones.
The presenter said he had been ‘coming to terms’ with his sexuality in a heart-wrenching Instagram post.
The much-loved television presenter made his announcement on Instagram shortly before appearing on ITV’s This Morning.
“You never know what’s going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing – and so you won’t know what has been consuming me for the last few years,” he wrote.
“With the strength and support of my wife and daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.”
Holly Willoughby, Schofield’s This Morning co-host, was among the first to pay tribute to Schofield. Writing on Instagram, she said she had “never been more proud of my friend than I am today.”
Appearing with Schofield on This Morning, Willoughby promised: “Whatever happens in the future I’ll be sat by your side… Forever and ever.”
