Entertainment
Phillip Schofield came out as gay at the beginning of 2020 – but is the This Morning host still married?
Fans will know that the 58-year-old shares two daughters with his wife of 18 years, Steph Lowe. Here's what the star has said about this family plan to move forward.
Phillip Schofield is still married to wife Steph Lowe (Credit: PA)
Phillip is still married and has no plans to divorce Steph until they are both ready to move on. In fact, the pair have been living together at the family home throughout lockdown.
A source told The Sun: "She has been so supportive – he won’t skip off into the sunset now and abandon her.
"Phillip is in no hurry to meet someone new, but obviously the D word has now been mooted, albeit in very loose and casual terms. His earning power is at an all-time high, and Steph is entitled to half.
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"He is not disputing this — all he wants in return is her ongoing loyalty . . . and discretion. His family is his number one priority and that will never change."
When the former couple do eventually divorce, Phillip is keen to ensure that she is provided for. So much so, he's reportedly taken on even more work to ensure she's comfortable.
The Dancing on Ice presenter is allegedly worth a staggering £9million. This means that Steph will be entitled to £4.5million when the divorce is finalised.
The couple have two daughters Ruby and Mollie (Credit: PA)
In October, eight months after coming out, Phillip said that he and Steph hadn't yet discussed divorce.
He told the Mirror: "We're picking our way through. It’s a work in progress. I'm still married to Steph. With divorce, we've not discussed that at all."
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During an appearance on Chris Evans' podcast, How to Wow, the presenter added: "It's not in my nature to hurt people. How is it possible to come out and not hurt your wife? It isn't. My greatest concern is her."
And in his biography, Life's What You Make It, Phillip slammed allegations that he lied to Stephanie.
"I didn't know I was gay when I married Steph. If I had, I wouldn't have got married," he explained. "When things got really dark, [Stephanie] reminded me how much they all loved me and that there was nothing that the four of us couldn't cope with."
The presenter has also paid tribute to his co-host, Holly Willoughby, for helping him and his wife.
On Chris Evans' Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, he said: "Holly has been astonishing. Literally, the best mate. She's serene and calming and sensible and balanced. Not just for me but also for Steph."
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In February, Phillip came out as gay on This Morning before releasing a statement on Instagram revealing that he is gay.
He wrote: "With the strength and support of my wife and my 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.
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"My family have held me so close: they have tried to cheer me up, to smother me with kindness and love, despite their own confusions. Yet still I can't sleep and there have been some very dark moments."
He added: "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. Yes, I am feeling pain and confusion, but that comes only from the hurt that I cam causing to my family.
"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."
Phillip is still living at the family home with wife Steph (Credit: PA)
Phillip revealed he was confused by his sexuality when he first married Steph.
Before realising the he is gay, he suspected he may have been bisexual.
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During an interview with the Sun on Sunday, he explained: "I am not saying I didn’t know. Whatever was there, I thought: OK, whatever this is, you stay back because I am happy.
"I was confused by what it was. I thought maybe I was bisexual. But over time I realised and started coming to terms with it. And I realised I had to be honest with myself. If you ask anyone who is gay, they know – there is no confusion."
Phillip was confused by his sexuality before marrying Steph (Credit: PA)
Phillip has never discussed whether he is dating a man. However, fellow TV veteran Graham Norton suspects that the presenter may be in a new relationship.
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Speaking on the Chris Evans' Virgin Radio How To Wow podcast, he said: "I imagine Pip has some secret boyfriend squirrelled away somewhere. I'm sure he has. I don't know Pip. I don't know why I'm calling him Pip."
He added: "I remember what it was like keeping that secret when I was a kid. To keep that secret for presumably 30, 40 years, what that does to you. It's so strange."
Stephanie Lowe, 55, is a former BBC production assistant and has been married to the presenter for 28 years.
The pair tied the knot back in 1993 and currently reside in Henley-on-Thames, in Oxfordshire.
Stephanie's background is also in the arts.
The pair met while she worked in television as a production assistant for the BBC.
However, she no longer works in the industry.
Phillip has maintained that his family will always come first (Credit: PA)
Phillip's eldest daughter, Molly, works as an assistant talent manager at James Grant group. And this certainly hits close to home, as the agency represents both him and Holly Willoughby.
The pair have been seen together at events.
The presenter told Hello! Magazine that he relies on his daughter for her social media chops. "I don’t post anything without their say-so. I check with them, is this okay? But they’re fine with it. My eldest daughter is my manager so she’s well across it all," he said.
Phillip and Stephanie also have another daughter called Ruby, who studied at Leeds Becket University.