Holly Willoughby has been "a rock" to Phillip Schofield.
On Friday (07.02.20), TV presenter Phillip, 57, came out as gay and friends say he has been relying on his ‘This Morning’ and ‘Dancing On Ice’ co-star Holly for support over the past few months.
A source told the Daily Mirror: "This is very much Phil’s story, but it’s been a big weight on Holly’s shoulders too.
"She’s just delighted it’s finally out in the open. Phil considers Holly a rock throughout all of this."
Phillip – who has been married to wife Stephanie Lowe since 1993 – shared a statement on social media and then appeared live on ‘This Morning’ on Friday alongside Holly to speak about how he is feeling.
Holly said she has "never been more proud of my friend than I have today", and read out Phil’s statement, before he reflected on how he is feeling.
He said: "It’s funny, because everyone I’ve spoken to, you, have all been so supportive, loving and caring, and my entire family, to a person, have grabbed us and said, ‘It’s OK, it’s OK. We love you, we’re proud of you.’
"Every person I tell it gets a little lighter and a little lighter.
"I’m really very aware that Steph and the girls are at home watching this, and we’re all together.
"We spent a lot of time together and they’ve been supporting us as we got to this moment.
"I feel a little lighter but I’m very aware there is no question it causes pain and upset.
"We’ve never had any secrets."
Holly said some viewers may be questioning why he has decided to come out now.
Phil – who has two daughters – replied: "You know, this has been bothering me for a very long time.
"There’s no question that it has in recent times, consumed my head. And has become an issue in my head. So I got to the stage where I thought, ‘We sit here every day and some amazingly brave person is over here and I’m thinking ‘You’re so brave, you’re so brave.’ "And I’m thinking, ‘I have to be that person, I have to be that person. All you can be is honest with yourself. "I was getting to the point where I didn’t like myself. So when is the right time?
"We always say to talk to someone and believe me, I have and it has helped a lot. It’s brought me back. Talking to people does bring you back and in some cases talking to people saves you. And you have to discuss it, with my friends, with my family, with my wife.
"You have to talk it through. It’s absolutely my decision. It was something I knew I had to do.
"I don’t know what the world will be like now, I don’t know how this will be taken and what people will think.
"I’m very conscious about the hurt.
"My overriding emotion is guilt. But I will sit here and say I am proud of myself today."
Holly Willoughby has been ‘a rock’ for Phillip Schofield
