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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sorry, another Philip Schofield one...

999 replies

UnaCorda · 08/02/2020 20:20

I really couldn't care less about Philip Schofield's sexuality (or anyone else's) and good for him for finally being true to himself. But what makes me quite cross is all this talk of honesty and bravery, and the self-indulgent, tortured confessional in front of the nation when really it's of no importance to anyone who doesn't know him personally.

In the clip of his chat with Holly he asks repeatedly, "When is the right time?" In my opinion, the right time is before you get married to someone who believes you are straight. It's not brave, or honest, to make someone unwittingly provide you with the benefits of a heterosexual relationship, including children, so you can be viewed by the public as a "respectable family man". It's actually rather selfish.

I had a brief relationship with someone who I later discovered was gay. He didn't even have the balls to tell me directly, and it seriously screwed me up for a long time. I can't imagine what it must be like to find out your husband of 27 years is homosexual.

I'm not gay, so perhaps I am being unreasonable as I don't know what it is like to come out to friends and family (although I imagine it is easier now than it was thirty years ago) and I don't know whether PS really believed that he was in love with his wife when they got married. But I do think that leaving a duplicitous life which affects other people is not a kind or honourable thing to do and I feel very sorry for his wife and daughters who I think really have been brave.

OP posts:
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TheLionInside · 10/02/2020 21:10

Why has Holly aligned herself with this fiasco? She must know the real deal here.

Dowser · 10/02/2020 21:10

Fiona Philips was one of the few presenters I liked..where is she now

covetingthepreciousthings · 10/02/2020 21:10

Either that or he's in the process of being paid off from other sources to keep schtum. 🤐

Dowser · 10/02/2020 21:13

That guy whom I think was one of the first, if not the first to break the MM story has loads of files he’s ready to release.
I won’t print his name as I don’t want this thread closing down.

covetingthepreciousthings · 10/02/2020 21:13

Why has Holly aligned herself with this fiasco? She must know the real deal here.

She's the golden girl of ITV, I think unless the whole of ITV turn their backs on him, she won't step up against the crowd and risk losing her career.

yolofish · 10/02/2020 21:14

Fiona does a lot of work with dementia charities, her father (or both parents?) had it, for which I admire her.

But its a weird set up really, all the presenters are married to the production execs, all their kids work for the agents, everyone has the same agent - no wonder everyone is trying to look after number one.

House of cards waiting to topple.

Riv12345 · 10/02/2020 21:14

Mrs Schofield

What do you see in your millionaire husband?

bohemia14 · 10/02/2020 21:15

I worked on a project with Fiona Phillips a few years ago. She was absolutely lovely.

augustusglupe · 10/02/2020 21:16

Fiona Philips is married to Martin Frizell. I think Hollys DH is in tele though but not sure what he does.

wedding33 · 10/02/2020 21:17

IF the MM stuff is true - ITV will want to protect their own reputation as much if not more than PS. It would all have been in plain sight.

TheLionInside · 10/02/2020 21:17

She's the golden girl of ITV, I think unless the whole of ITV turn their backs on him, she won't step up against the crowd and risk losing her career

Yeah but there is a world of difference between stepping up against the crowd and actually sitting there taking credit for being the one who is getting him through it.

AnneOfTeenFables · 10/02/2020 21:18

What a misogynist comment Riv ! Mrs S isn't the person who has built an entire career out of a false public image; lied to her family and friends; and then tried to pull a sympathy card when accused of bullying colleagues.

WhatsTheLatest · 10/02/2020 21:18

@femILangul I totally agree. I think this will end his career, or at least its the beginning of the end. But he'll believe he is the victim in it all and no doubt do more soppy interviews with a stupid hang dog expression

AnneOfTeenFables · 10/02/2020 21:22

Really they should all opt for the Lorraine Kelly defence.

The Philip Schofield on TV is a straight, happily-married character he plays. The supportive best friend who sees nothing inappropriate in the power imbalance in her colleague's relationships - is played by Holly. And the deeply cynical but don't want to lose their jobs supporting characters are played by Ruth and Eamonn. Wink

It's the only way Holly gets out of this with any integrity intact.

wedding33 · 10/02/2020 21:24

Many people were coming out 27 years ago but as a children's presenter and hopes of moving into mainstream PS will have been advised by his management team that it could work against him.
I imagine Mrs S knew all along as do many showbiz wives in the same situation.
I don't give a monkeys about any of that - both adults who made their own decisions.
Very different if there is any truth in the other rumours.

WhatsTheLatest · 10/02/2020 21:25

Irritates the hell out of me how someone can be lauded as brave for (allegedly I know) committing adultery for years and admitting their marriage was a lie from the beginning.
Where does that level of hypocrisy even start? Mark Owen didn't get praised for shagging around. Makes no difference if its with men or women, he cheated and is getting told he is brave?!
Ruth and Eamon went down such a lot in my option (they'll be gutted to hear Grin) by allowing themselves into the charade.
Holly though, runs with the hare and hunts with the hound I bet

WhatsTheLatest · 10/02/2020 21:26

Opinion

wedding33 · 10/02/2020 21:27

ITV obviously very confident they can pull this off or he wouldn't have been on This Morning today.
Would have been 'taking some time with his family.'

lilgreen · 10/02/2020 21:29

Feels weird seeing him pop up on that tv ad. Didn’t like it.

AnneOfTeenFables · 10/02/2020 21:33

I don't think Ruth and Eamonn had any choice tbh. At least Eamonn made some jokes and didn't indulge entirely in the 'brave Pip' charade.

Holly, otoh, should have pulled every string at her disposal to get out of conducting that interview.

ManonBlackbeak · 10/02/2020 21:34

I said on one of the other thread that Michael Barrymore came out in the 90’s. He also had a wife (though that may have always been a bearding arrangement? Correct me if I’m wrong?)

Massive tabloid scandal but the general public didn’t give a toss, people still watched his shows in their millions, he still won awards and remained the biggest star on TV. It was only when the whole body in the pool saga happened that the wheels fell off his career.

The point I’m making is he didn’t need to hide his sexuality at all.

Chipstick10 · 10/02/2020 21:34

I was under the impression Mrs S was fully aware he was gay from the get go. I havent read anything on it or watched said nauseating display on Friday.
FYI I had an encounter with Mr Willowtree Baldwin who I beleive to be Tamsin Outhwaites cousin. He was horrid. Rude and sarcastic

YetAnotherSpartacus · 10/02/2020 21:39

What a misogynist comment Riv ! Mrs S isn't the person who has built an entire career out of a false public image; lied to her family and friends; and then tried to pull a sympathy card when accused of bullying colleagues

Also, her life was all about him and like most wives she worked for his success and helped create those millions.

I hope that he is bloody generous to her in any divorce.

AnneOfTeenFables · 10/02/2020 21:58

Chipstick PS did an interview where he said Mrs S wasn't aware he was gay when they got married.

Dowser · 10/02/2020 22:01

I was never a fan of his.
Now I can’t bear to watch him...on anything
Before this broke...those stupid we buy any car adverts..I said to dh..like PS mucks about with a company like that when he needs a new motor

It’s as incongruous as Alex polizzi a few years ago, doing a Christmas show..and putting holes in tin cans...then sticking a tea light inside.
Rich woman shows us how to do Christmas.
Really believable....I don’t think