Phillip Schofield has come out as gay in an emotional Instagram post.
The This Morning host shared the news on his Instagram Stories on Friday, calling it something that has been "consuming me for the past few years".
The 57-year-old presenter has been married to Stephanie Lowe for the past 27 years and the pair have two adult children, Molly and Ruby - who he thanked for their support.
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He penned: "You never know whats going on in someones seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with or the state of their wellbeing - and so you wont know what has been consuming me for the last few years. With the strength and support of my wife and 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 confusion. Yet still I cant sleep and there have been some very dark moments."
"My inner conflict consists with an outside world which has changed 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 from the hurt that I have cause to my family.
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"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. 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 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.
"Every day on This Morning, I sit in awe of those who have been brave and open in confronting their truth - so now it's my turn to share mine."
He finished: "This will probably all come as something of 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."
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Phillip's co-host Holly Willoughby, took to Instagram soon after, saying: "Never been more proud of my friend than I am today. We'll be together at 10am on This Morning x"
Just 15 minutes after posting his statement, the day time telly duo were on air for their usual 10am slot on ITV, where Phillip gave a revealing interview about his decision to come out.
They were joined on the sofa by Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, as Holly held Phillip's hand in support.
"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," said the presenter, holding back tears.
Explaining why now was the right time for him to come out, he added: "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'.
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"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.
"We always say 'talk to someone'... and you must talk to someone. It's brought be back from some dark places and in some cases talking to people saves you."
Phil also talked to Holly about how his wife, Stephanie Lowe, had been an incredible support throughout his coming out process, and also praised his daughters, Molly and Ruby, for standing by him.
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"Telling them can't have been easy," Holly said, to which he replied: "No it wasn't easy, but they were...they are...so amazing. They gave me a hug, and then they hugged Steph, and they said 'it's okay, this is fine.
"We'll be okay, we'll always be a family. Us four, we'll always be that."
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Celebrity, Phillip Schofield, Life