TV presenter Phillip Schofield has apologized to his wife, who stood by him after coming out in 2020, after he sensationally confessed to an affair with a young male colleague This Morning.
The ‘ill-advised’ romance took place during the couple’s nearly 30-year marriage and Schofield has said he was ‘so sorry’ about being unfaithful.
Stephanie Lowe, 59, who shares two children, Ruby and Molly with Schofield, issued a statement when her then-husband came out as gay in a touching This Morning segment in 2020.
The presenter retired from the airwaves after more than 20 years on the air last weekend, confirming the affair in a statement to the Mail on Friday.
He has resigned from ITV and will not be hosting the British Soap Awards and has been dropped ‘with immediate effect’ by his agents at YMU.
Stephanie Lowe, 59, who shares two children, Ruby and Molly with Schofield, issued a statement when her then-husband came out as gay in 2020
The ‘ill-advised’ romance took place during the couple’s 30-year marriage and Schofield has said he was ‘so sorry’ (pictured with their two children, Ruby and Molly)
In a fawning statement, the former ITV presenter said: “I am making this statement through the Daily Mail, to whom I have already personally apologized for being misled, through my lawyer who I have also misled, about a story [sic] that they wanted to write about me a few days ago.
“The first thing I want to say is, I am deeply sorry that I lied to them and to many others about a relationship I had with someone who worked on This Morning.
“I did have a consensual on and off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.
Contrary to speculation, while I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him get on television, it wasn’t until after he started working on the show that it became more than just a friendship.
That relationship was ill-advised, but not illegal. It’s over now…
“I am painfully aware that I have lied to my employers at ITV, to my colleagues and friends, to my agents, to the media and therefore to the public and especially my family. I am very sorry, just like that I have been unfaithful to my wife…
“I resign from ITV with immediate effect and express my immense gratitude to them for all the wonderful opportunities they have given me.
“I will reflect on my very poor judgment in both participating in the relationship and then lying about it.”
The couple married in March 1993 after meeting when Schofield was working in children’s television and she was a BBC production assistant.
They married in Scotland’s Ackergill Tower in 1993 and celebrated their silver anniversary in 2018 – just two years before Schofield came out as gay.
In February 2020, the presenter told his Instagram followers about his sexuality and said he has the support of his wife and daughters.
‘You never know what’s going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life, what problems they’re struggling with, or how their well-being is – so you don’t know what’s been on my mind for the past few years.
“With the strength and support of my wife and daughters, I’ve been able to accept that I’m gay.”
In a follow-up post, he shared how Stephanie had continued to support him after he came out.
“Steph has been incredible – I love her so much. She’s the kindest soul I’ve ever met. My girls were amazing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort.
“Both mine and all of Steph’s family have blown my mind with their love, instant acceptance and support. Of course they’re worried about Steph, but I know they’ll get both of us.”
At the time, Mrs. Lowe issued a heartfelt statement in support of her husband.
“We have been through the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage.
Phillip Schofield has sensationally admitted to dating a much younger man who worked for him as a colleague on This Morning (pictured with co-host Holly Willoughby)
Former close friends Schofield and Willoughby, pictured together on Dancing on Ice in 2006, had grown increasingly apart in recent months
“I love Phillip as much as I ever have and always will.”
Schofield is still often seen wearing his wedding ring, telling Chris Evans’ podcast in October 2020, ‘It’s not in my nature to hurt people and so I have to reconcile the fact that I did.
“I did, and I tried very hard not to. I also say, is it possible to come out and not hurt your wife? No of course not. My main concern is that she’s okay.”
He said on the podcast that the couple had not discussed the divorce. The mirror has since reported that Ms Lowe said she would stand by him until he was “settled and happy in a new relationship” and then they would discuss an “amicable split”.
The presenter spent much of the coronavirus lockdown with his family, including Stephanie Lowe, at their £2million home in Henley.