HOLLY Willoughby has vowed to always be by Phillip Schofield’s side after he announced he is gay on ITV's This Morning.
The 38-year-old, who has worked with Phil for years as his TV wife – struggled to hold back tears during their very emotional and brave interview.
Before reading out his statement, she told viewers she has "never been more proud of my friend than I have today".
She later added that she would "always be by your side."
Holly told Phil to sit next to her, and they shared a warm hug as she urged viewers to support him too.
Fighting back tears, Phillip said he was aware of the "pain and upset" caused and that it had consumed him for years.
In an incredibly moving interview, he told Holly: "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.
"We always say 'talk to someone'… and you must talk to someone. It's brought me back from some dark places and in some cases talking to people saves you."
It came as…
- Phillip made the announcement on his personal Instagram with an emotional statement
- Moments later, the TV presenter fought back tears as he sat down with co-host Holly Willoughby
- Holly vowed she would be with Phillip 'forever and ever'
- Phillip's celebrity pals rallied around the much-loved TV host after he made the announcement
Phillip, who married Stephanie Lowe in March 1993, said he felt "overriding guilt" over the impact his statement would have on his wife and daughters.
But he said they had immediately supported him, saying wife Steph had been "simply astonishing".
And he said he had "never had any secrets" from her – saying the relationship was always "honest and open".
The presenter had first made the announcement on Instagram.
He wrote on social media today: "With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to the terms with the fact that I am gay."
He added: "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 I still can't sleep and there have been some very dark moments."
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