Married UK TV presenter fights back tears as he bravely reveals he’s gay

British television star Phillip Schofield, who’s been married for 27 years, has revealed that he’s gay.

Fighting back tears, the much-loved presenter, who hosts ITV’s This Morning program, made the revelation on Friday morning (UK time).

In an emotional interview live on air, he told co-host Holly Willoughby: “It’s tough but this is not something that’s happened quickly, I’ve had to deal this in my head for quite some time.

“I got to the stage where I thought we sit here, every day, and some amazingly brave person is sitting over there and I’m thinking ‘I have to be that person’.

“All you can be in your life is honest with yourself. I was getting to a stage in my life where I was thinking I don’t really like myself because I’m not being honest with myself.”

Everyone here at #ThisMorning stands with our @schofe ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tBKz7HKD8E

— This Morning (@thismorning) February 7, 2020

Meanwhile, in a statement released on the program’s Twitter account prior to the show, the married father of two daughters paid tribute to his family.

“With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact I am gay,” he said.

“This is something that has caused many heartbreaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years, and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby,” he added.

“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 I still can’t sleep and there have been some very dark moments

A statement from Phillip pic.twitter.com/iIE7NcLZ2I

— This Morning (@thismorning) February 7, 2020

Schofield went on to thank his wife adding: “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 and encouraging words of comfort.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWdD0xChgr6/

Schofield and his wife Stephanie Lowe have been married since 1993. They have two daughters together, Ruby, 24, and Molly, 27.

The 57-year-old has been a regular fixture on British television for decades starting out as a children’s TV presenter at the BBC.  He then presented This Morning since 2002.