Stephanie Lowe and Phillip Schofield at The Royal Festival Hall in 2018. Photo / Getty
Stephanie Lowe and Phillip Schofield at The Royal Festival Hall in 2018. Photo / Getty
Phillip Schofield's wife has broken her silence after her husband of 27 years revealed that he is gay on live television.
Stephanie Lowe, who married the former NZ media personality in 1993, told The Sun: "We've had to face the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage."
The couple wed in Scotland in 1993, and Schofield has told of how he always battled with his sexuality.
"I am not saying I didn't know.
"Whatever was 'there' I thought, 'OK, whatever this is, you stay back because I am happy.'" he told The Sun.
"There is no question, in those moments, when I couldn't see a way forward, it was Steph and my girls — through their strength — who hauled me back," he said.
Stephanie Lowe and Phillip Schofield at The Royal Festival Hall in 2018. Photo / Getty
Phillip Schofield has credited wife Stephanie Lowe and daughters Ruby (L) and Molly (R) for getting him through dark days. Photo / Getty
A source told the Sunday Mirror that Lowe has no plans to divorce Schofield - until he finds new love.
"She's saying she'll stick with him until he's settled and happy in a new relationship, and then they'll talk about an amicable split deal."
Schofield, co-host of ITV's This Morning show, came out to viewers in an emotional interview with on-screen partner Holly Willoughby that followed an Instagram post sharing the news.
"With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact I am gay," the 57-year-old TV host said.
Schofield with Holly Willoughby on This Morning after his shock announcement. Photo / Supplied
Speaking with emotion, Schofield told Willoughby that he had "never had any secrets" from his wife: "This is tough. This is not something that has happened quickly. I've had to deal with this in my head for quite some time.
"We have gone through this together. We have been very open and very honest.
"I cannot write in any statement how I feel about that woman. She is amazing. She is literally astonishing."
Schofield took to social media to thank his fans and has urged others struggling with their sexuality to follow his lead, encouraging people to open up to family and friends.
"You will never know how important your support has been today," he wrote in a post shared on his Instagram story and Twitter account.
"I've read as much as I can. Please please, no matter your age or your thoughts, TALK to someone, don't let your head beat you and hopefully you'll find out that your friends & family have a remarkable ability to surprise you with their love and understanding."
Schofield has dual British and New Zealand citizenship. He grew up in New Zealand and began his career in TV here before moving back to the UK.
In New Zealand, he had his first TV job as the initial presenter of the youth music programme Shazam! in 1982. He also spent two years working for Radio Hauraki, before moving back to the UK in 1985, where he became the first in-vision continuity presenter for Children's BBC on weekdays.
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