If it wasn't for the fact that Phillip came out today, I wouldn't have come out as bisexual today. I hadn't planned on coming out today. However, getting the notification from Sky News just before the show started prompted me to watch the interview, alongside my mother. This also made me think about when a good time to tell my parents would be. Then, as we were watching the interview, Phillip's bravery, honesty and courage struck a chord with me, and I decided that I'd have to do it at some point soon. Then the interview came to an end, and Eamonn and Ruth joined Phillip and Holly on the sofa, and me and my mother started talking about it. At that point, I decided it was now or never, and I opted for that moment.
This is exactly what I believe Philip and the production team would be going for. Giving LGBT viewers an outlet to feel comfortable about telling family and friends about their sexuality. For all the showbiz goss about this story, there is a public service element which would have helped so many people today.
I have chosen to dub Schofe's announcement as "
coming out of the broom cupboard
".
Had Schofield chosen to come out openly about his sexuality back in the late 80's in the years after he began doing children's TV from the cupboard in 1985 and then on Saturday mornings then I feel quite confident that he would have been kicked out of the broom cupboard. His children's TV career would have been ended literally overnight, and he'd certainly never have had that springboard to all the other TV later either.
Michael Sundin was briefly a Blue Peter presenter in the mid 80's about the time Schofield began his broom cupboard duties. When it came out he was gay he was history after just a few months doing Blue Peter. Reading his wikipedia entry and the feeble reasons they officially gave for his departure at the time made me rather cross. He was fired for being gay yet they hid behind other excuses. Schofield would have met the same fate as Sundin had he come out in his 20's back then.
It's not hard to grasp why he never did until today is it.
He said unless I misheard him say he started feeling different a few years ago maybe he was straight when he was in the broom cupboard with Gordon the Gopher.
But yeah brave of him to come out but yeah quite a shock that
I caught Phil's interview off Youtube earlier today. I have to admit that it was a great moment to see him announce it on the show.
I have more respect for him now as a TV presenter since he came out.
I would like to wish Phil & his family well after he made his announcement. They have been through a lot of emotional stress while dealing with this story. I hope they get the privacy that they deserve. I hope the British tabloids don't f up their narrative on him & his family while they're trying to dig out some negative crap about their life in future.
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. 👏👏👍 pic.twitter.com/p7RuE7H8uY
Couldn't be happier for Phillip and delighted he feels comfortable enough in himself to 'come out'.
Re: Eamonn, I believe that was his (slightly hamfisted) way of making a joke of it, as a way of saying 'look, doesn't change anything, it's normal, we can have a laugh about it'. It was clearly meant in a positive way, to put Phillip at ease. From his reaction - hand shaking and hugging - it certainly seems as though Phillip took it as such. Think negative comments regarding the matter are misplaced.