Phillip Schofield has defended This Morning co-star Eamonn Holmes for making a joke about him sharing a hot tub with Holly Willoughby after coming out as gay.
Eamonn raised some eyebrows among some This Morning viewers on Friday when he and wife Ruth Langsford joined Holly and Phillip on the sofa, following Phil’s personal announcement.
After joking that he thought Phillip had been preparing to announce he’d quit the ITV daytime show, Eamonn went on to say: “There’s this great imponderable in life that has always irritated me.
“I thought, ‘How come he can sit in a hot tub with Holly Willoughby and Steph [Phillip’s wife] doesn’t have a problem, and Dan [Holly’s husband] doesn’t have a problem?’”
While some viewers on social media remarked that the joke didn’t quite hit the right note after Phillip’s emotional interview, Phillip has since insisted he is glad Eamonn “lightened” the moment.
He tweeted: “Can I just say that @EamonnHolmes & @RuthieeL were utterly magnificent with me today, privately downstairs just the three of us and upstairs in front of the world. I couldn’t have hoped for a better, calming and loving set of hugs and support, I adore them both.
“And for the record, @EamonnHolmes made me laugh, he lightened a very emotional moment and I’m very happy that he did.”
Eamonn also spoke out about his jokes, sharing a picture of him and Phil on Twitter.
He wrote: “A picture paints a thousand words. This is a man who was in pain , who today confided in Ruth and I and who knows we stand in support of him, his family and his sexuality …. Also unlike some, he appreciated a laugh to break the tension.
″@Schofe hoping you find happiness.”
The This Morning presenting team has been besieged by rumours of an alleged feud between Phillip and Ruth in recent months, but these were put to bed once and for all when Ruth and Eamonn came together with Phillip and Holly to support Phil on Friday.
Many viewers commented on Twitter how lovely it was to see the TV family uniting for Phil.
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Eamonn also told him: “So many people will be strengthened by what you’ve said, we’re by your side, we’ll be the first to stand beside you.”
Phillip came out as gay in a post on his Instagram Story on Friday morning, before being interviewed by Holly on This Morning.
In his statement, he said: “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.”
During the interview, Holly told Phillip: “Whatever happens in the future, I’ll be sat by your side forever… we’re all part of this family.”
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
Useful websites and helplines:
- London Lesbian & Gay switchboard (LLGS) is a free confidential support & information helpline for LGBT communities throughout the UK | 0300 330 0630
- Manchester Lesbian and Gay Switchboard is a free support, information and referral service for the Manchester and North-West area | 0161 235 8000
- Stonewall for more information on other LGBT services and helplines | 08000 502020