Phillip Schofield close to tears as he reveals plans to talk about mental health on ‘This Morning’
"Your head takes you to dark and scary places".
This Morning star Phillip Schofield fought back tears today as he said he will be discussing his mental health battle for the first time over the coming weeks.
The star was leading a segment on the pressures of lockdown on today’s episode when the subject turned to his personal experiences.
Speaking on the ITV show, Phillip said: “Over the next few weeks, I will be talking quite a lot about my mental health and where my head has been in recent times.
“It’s surprising how you think you’ve got a grip on everything and suddenly your head takes you to dark and scary places.”
Speaking with co-host Holly Willoughby and Simon Gunning, CEO of mental health Mind, 58-year-old Phillip added: “You say loved ones can be instrumental in helping and there’s no question I needed a lot of help in recent times.”
He cited “people who sit by the side of me right now [Holly, below], who helped enormously, Steph my wife at home, my girls, my family [above].
“Loved ones can be instrumental in helping. I understand not everyone is as lucky as I am to have sympathetic ears to listen to, who understand how much you can help just by listening. But the first point surely has to be reach out to the people who know you the best, and hopefully you’ll find a rock you can tie yourself to.”
Phillip married Steph in 1993; they are parents to Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24. He came out publicly as gay in a moving Instagram post in February.
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He said at the time: “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.”