Phillip Schofield’s mother has praised his bravery after he came out as gay.
Although the TV presenter’s mum, Pat, 83, admitted the news came as a shock, as he has been married to wife Stephanie Lowe since 1993, she revealed she is proud of her son for sharing his personal story with the world.
Pat told the Daily Mirror: "For him to be so brave in front of so many people was inspiring, because I know how hard it was for him to do.
"I love Steph and the girls more than anything in the world and I will always be there for them.
"Yes it was a shock, but nothing as a family that we can’t support and applaud."
The 57-year-old TV presenter shared a statement on social media and then appeared live on ‘This Morning’ on Friday (07.02.20) alongside his co-host Holly Willoughby 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."
Asked how Steph is coping, he said: "It’s tough. We’ve gone through this together. I have to deal with this for quite some time.
"She is amazing, she is incredible. There is no one in my life who would have supported me in the way she has supported me."
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?"
Phillip Schofield’s mother praises his bravery
