Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes comforted Phillip Schofield on today’s (07.02.20) ‘This Morning’ as the star revealed he is gay.
The 57-year-old TV presenter sat alongside his co-host Holly Willoughby on the famous sofa on today’s (07.02.20) show as he made the announcement live on the programme, and the show’s Friday co-presenters Ruth and Eamonn embraced him, and praised him for "speaking out".
Eamonn said: "Nobody should be embarrassed about their sexuality."
Phil said: "I’m not."
Eamonn continued: "It’s fantastic you have spoken out. There will be so many people who have been strengthened by what you said. As Holly said, we are all here by your side. We will be the first to stand beside you. Absolutely brilliant, mate.
"As long as Steph is happy, the girls are happy, everything, everybody must be happy for you."
Ruth then said: "They are all that matters for you aren’t they?"
Phil replied: "Yeah, and doing it right."
Later, Eamonn added some humour by joking he thought Phil was going to say he had resigned.
Eamonn quipped: "I’m disappointed in a couple of ways. First of all, it was a big announcement from Phillip so I thought you were going to come in and announce you’d resigned and we’d get the job. So that wasn’t to be."
And Eamonn also joked he has always wondered why Phil’s wife Steph – who he has been married to since 1993 – "didn’t have a problem" with him sitting in a hot tub with Holly, and why Holly’s husband Dan didn’t have an issue with it either.
He quipped: "The second is, there is this great imponderable in life, which has always irritated me.
"I thought, ‘How come he can sit in a hot tub with Holly Willoughby and Steph doesn’t have a problem and Dan doesn’t have a problem?’
"She [Ruth] would’ve had a problem."
Speaking about Holly, Phil said: "This is the sister I never had."
Holly said: "[I’m] very lucky, very blessed. Very lucky."
The ‘Dancing on Ice’ co-host had earlier released a statement on his Instagram Stories revealing he has been "coming to terms with the fact that I am gay", and he praised his wife Steph as "incredible".
He said in a statement: "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 for the last few years. With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.
"This is something that has caused many heart-breaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby.
"My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusion. Yet still I can’t sleep and there have been some very dark moments.
"My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud. Yes, I am feeling pain and confusion, but that comes only from the hurt that I am causing my family.
"Steph has been incredible – I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met. My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs, encouraging words of comfort.
"Both mine and Steph’s entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support. Of course they are worried about Steph, but I know they will scoop us both up.
"My friends are the best, especially Holly, who has been so kind and wife – and who has hugged me as I sobbed on her shoulder.
"At ITV, I couldn’t hope to work with more wonderful, supportive teams. Every day on This Morning, I sit in awe of those we meet who have been brave and open in confronting their truth – so not it’s my turn to share mine.
"This will probably all come as something as a surprise and I understand but only by facing this, by being honest, can I hope to find peace in my mind and a way forward. Please be kind, especially to my family. Phillip."
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes comfort Phillip Schofield as he comes out as gay
