Entertainment

Phillip Schofield’s marriage to wife Stephanie Lowe as the This Morning presenter comes out as gay


Phillip Schofield has come out as gay (Picture: ITV, REX)

This Morning star Phillip Schofield has come out as gay after being married to his wife Stephanie Lowe for 27 years.

The 57-year-old, who tied the knot with Stephanie back in 1993, penned a lengthy statement, mentioning that he had been supported by his wife and family.

Speaking specifically about Stephanie in the statement, he said: ‘Steph has been incredible – I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met.’

Appearing on This Morning alongside co-star Holly Willoughby, he added: ‘She is amazing. She’s incredible. There is no one in my life who would have supported me, as a wife, the way she supported me. She’s astonishing.’

Meeting and marriage

Phil, 57, and Stephanie, 55, met while the pair of them were working at the BBC – he was working in children’s television and she was working as a production assistant.

In 1993, the pair tied the knot at Ackergill Tower in Scotland, before moving to Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.

The pair welcomed their daughter Molly back in 1996, with their second daughter Ruby being born in 1999.

Although the pair have tended to keep their relationship private, Steph has often cropped up in Phillip’s stories on This Morning.

On one particular episode, he shared the story of how he proposed, telling co-star Holly Willoughby: ‘I proposed to Steph, it was in an Advent calendar.

‘You could put your own things into the boxes…every night she opened it up and I put in bath salts, cheapy things for every day. On the given day that I’d chosen, I put the engagement ring in.

‘She opened it up and I hopped out of bed starkers and got down on one knee!’

Phil and Steph have been married for 27 years (Picture: Rex Features)

TV appearances

Although she hasn’t made a habit of appearing in front of the camera, Steph has delved into the world of TV a few times.

Fans were given a glimpse into the pair’s lives together when she and Phillip both starred in their 2017 documentary Schofield’s South African Adventure, which saw the pair exploring the country together.

It was the first time Steph had appeared on TV alongside Phil, but we’ve since seen them appearing together on his show How To Spend Well At Christmas.

Phil later said of his wife: ‘She worked in television years ago….That was how we met, so she can do it, she just doesn’t want to these days.’

Children and anniversary

Back in 2018, Phillip and Stephanie celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, after being married for 25 years.

The presenter took to Instagram to pen a sweet message, writing: ‘2 birthdays and a Silver Wedding Anniversary in one week! That’s a lot of cards. Happy 25th Mrs S.’

At the time, the pair’s daughter Ruby also shared a sweet throwback photo of her parents sharing a kiss as they celebrated the big day.

And it’s no secret that the star is also a doting dad, often sharing snaps from holidays with his wife and two daughters.

Phillip and Steph tied the knot in 1993 (Picture: Rex Features)

Phil previously said of his kids: ‘I’m very proud of the fact that my daughters keep me very current. Both of them have great taste in music and play stuff that I maybe haven’t heard before.

‘I was driving Ruby back to uni [university] and she said, “You’ve got to listen to this”. Ruby and her mates discovered it just before it broke – Megan Trainor’s ‘All About That Bass’.

‘As we listened to it … I can remember I said, “oh my God, this is incredible”. And I thank Ruby for introducing me to that, way before anybody else!’

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg8QkSDgRYu/?utm_source=ig_embed

Phil’s statement

Phillip came out in a statement on Instagram, writing: ‘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.

‘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.

‘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.’

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He continued: ‘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 only comes from the hurt I am causing for my family.

‘Steph has been incredible – I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul that I have ever met. My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging and 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.’

Phil then praised This Morning and Dancing On Ice co-host Holly Willoughby, saying: ‘My friends are the best, especially Holly, who has been so kind and wise – and who has hugged me as I sobbed on her shoulder. At ITV, I couldn’t hope to work with more wonderful, supportive teams.’

The star concluded: ‘Every day on This Morning, I sit in awe of those we meet who have been brave and open in confronting their truth – so now 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.’

MORE: Holly Willoughby posts touching tribute to Phillip Schofield as he comes out as gay

MORE: This Morning’s Phillip Schofield comes out as gay





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