Phillip Schofield has come out as gay

[catinb0oots]

Blimey. Married for 27 years.

@Iamthewombat You are making things up. I did not say it was almost impossible to be gay in showbusiness in general. I said he would not have had the work he did if he was openly gay. He made his career in kids TV, he would not have had this work as an openly gay man in the 1980's.
And as I said musicians have always had more freedom than in many other areas of showbusiness.

Alternative scenes have always been more accepting. I used to go to Goth clubs in the late 80's and early 90's and there were openly gay people there. I doubt it was the same down the local nightclub in the small town I grew up in. Even going back home dressed lightly as a Goth got negative remarks and looks of disgust.

I feel for his wife and kids.
How cringe of Holly to ask him about future relationships when his family must be in shock. Utterly selfish behaviour.

Did she?
I was too busy uncurling my toes to notice that one

Staggering lack of understanding regarding relationships here. Some incredibly simplistic thinking.

And he was still presenting children’s tv in 1993.

My late sil 'came out ' in 1989 and she received a ton of prejudice from people and her own parents who practically disowned her at one point. They never did come to terms with any of it. She also received discrimination at work from some quarters.
She had a hard life and some very turbulent relationships. I'd like to think some views have altered over the years but I bet there are still very prejudiced people around, they just don't say anything about it in public.
I still feel there more to this with Phillip than we know , but I suppose time will tell.
It was a big secret, but it seems more than a few people knew he was gay so maybe it wasn't as secret as he might have liked.

Tinkly I've had conversations with friends of mine about this subject and we could all recall boys we'd known in the 80s who, looking back, were definitely gay but not out. I went out with a boy who later came out. I know he has paid for sex with men and I do wonder if not being able to come out when he was young affected his ability to have normal sexual relationships - he just got used to it being something hidden.

@Hastynamechange
I am truly sorry that you were deceived by your partner. I cannot imagine the devastation of your family.

handsome gay men remaining in the closet with frumpy wives.

Bit mean, I think his wife is attractive.

Phil, not so much 😬

Social media in full fawning mode

Just to add, I have noticed in my dc's social circle (20 and 17) that being gay seems to be a normal and accepted thing, thank goodness.

Seems to be a thing - handsome gay men remaining in the closet with frumpy wives.

Not sure whether to be more shocked that you think Steph is frumpy or that you think PS is handsome

How many marriages last 27 years nowadays even when the couple share a sexual orientation?

Eamonn's been putting his foot in it again and Ruthie's had to give Phil a big hug. Silver Fox is safe from toxic environment claims now then because noone is going to want to slag him off in case they are called homophobes as opposed to twuntphobes. Tis very convenient.

@Iamthewombat I have provided proof that it was legal to sack people for being gay in the 1980's. You just don't believe me. Just as you ignore all the other things I have proved that you have said that are untrue.

I found Ruth and Eamonn’s about turn interesting.
They obviously buried the hatchet so they can be part of the ‘big reveal’ and look supportive 🙄

If he’s bisexual or gay and was honest with his wife from early on in their relationship, fair enough.

If he is gay and has lied by omission for many years, that was a horrible way to treat her, and his DC. Not excused by his own thoughts / feelings about his sexuality, or employers’/others’ homophobia.

Yep, anyone who dares to claim Pipsqueak is a bully will be branded homophobic now.....

It wasn't legal to sack people for being gay. This determination to rewrite history and create a post-fact society is incredibly damaging. Facts matter even if they don't suit your argument or agenda.

One must wonder why he was so keen to take a selfie with a man who refers to gay men as tank topped bum boys!

I just think of Steph at home while all that hullaballoo and brave talk is going in, and I get the absolute rage.
I hope she is going to get lots and lots of money and a new man who will fancy the pants off her.

Great PR- his popularity had taken a nosedive.

@Dowser Dale Winton had an unrequited love for David Baddiel, who has confirmed it after he died. Nothing happened, Baddiel is straight, but Winton adored him. Apparently he never found love because he tended to chase straight guys who weren't interested.

It was legal to sack people for being gay in the 1980's. It is not rewriting history.
And if I am lying, post details of the legislation that protected people. That is not proving a negative. People were sacked for being gay. It is legislation that stops our employers sacking us for anything they might want to sack us for.

I reckon a paper was going to out him

’ Homophobic discrimination in housing, employment and the provision of goods and services remained lawful by default,` with no legal protection against it until between 2003 and 2007. People were denied employment or sacked from their jobs because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.’

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/23/fifty-years-gay-liberation-uk-barely-four-1967-act