Phillip Schofield reveals Holly Willoughby is like therapy to him since he came out as gay last year – Woman & Home
This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby have had a close relationship for many years and in a recent interview, he has spoken about how his co-star has been like therapy to him since coming out as homosexual in 2020.
In an interview with The Times Magazine, Phillip Schofield opened up about coming out experience and how the Pandemic managed to put his worries into perspective.
He stated in the interview, “In a way, it’s been perhaps a good thing that I have had time to look at the world and think, ‘You know, there are much bigger things going on than what’s going in your head.’”
He went on to say that he also was grateful to continue working throughout the Pandemic. “And also, at the same time, to think how lucky I am to have been able to have worked through all of this [and] to have had the therapy that Holly’s given me all the way through. I have been broadcasting a long time, but I never thought I’d actually broadcast through something like this.”
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Phillip Schofield came out as homosexual in an emotional episode of this morning as his co-host Holly read out a statement that he shared on his social media.
The statement read, “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. With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.”
In the Times interview, Philip also spoke about his shock at the profound effect his coming out had on some viewers. The presenter revealed, “What I will say in addition to what I have said before… the side-effect of what I did took me by surprise. Because when you do something like that, there’s an element of selfishness when you are protecting yourself. [But] I suddenly realised, and it was highlighted through lockdown, the number of people who said, ‘You just saved my life. What you did has saved me…’
He added, “It doesn’t have to be a sexuality thing. A lot of people have said, ‘I have sought help,’ or, ‘I have a gambling problem,’ or, ‘I have a drink problem.’ Whatever the issue, ‘I took strength in what you did and I have spoken to someone.’ I have spent time talking to people and talking them off the ledge. I am not a therapist, but at least I could be a little more insightful about what I did. It’s a good thing to have come out of it all.’ ”
Phillip and Holly also both continued to speak about their close relationship. Phillip stated that he and Holly are “best mates” and dismissed the rumours that they have had off-screen falling outs. Phillip stated, “It’s just nonsense,” to which Holly added, “Doesn’t make sense.”
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby can both be seen in action on This Morning which airs again on Monday at 10 am.