Phillip Schofield set to release ’emotional’ autobiography

Phillip Schofield revealed on Tuesday that he has written a book about coming out as gay, which will be released in October.

The This Morning host, 58, issued a statement in February on social media declaring that after 27 years of marriage, he was ‘coming to terms with the fact that I am gay’. 

Taking to Instagram to announce the release of his book titled Life’s What You Make It, Phil admitted he had written the first line ‘when [he] was 14’ and said it was a ‘deeply emotional’ experience to write it.

In both a video and its caption, Phil explained: ‘After being asked many times, and after many years of wanting to, I have written my autobiography. 

‘I wrote the first line of the book, in my head, when I was about 14. It took me until 2017 for me to finally write the first chapter and then I stopped because the time wasn’t right. 

‘It has certainly been something of a work in progress! Over the years I have been making notes of the stories and events of my life that I thought would tell my story.

‘Finally, in Lockdown, I knew that all the pieces of the jigsaw had been put into place and I was ready to write – that and a new discovery… lots of free time! 

‘It has been a fascinating experience, both immense fun and deeply emotional. Finally, after all these years, I’m happy it’s gone from my head, to the page.’

Phil concluded by saying he had ‘been honest’ and ‘been me’ in the autobiography, as he urged his followers to pre-order the book. 

In a choreographed follow-up to his statement about being gay in February, he took his place on the This Morning sofa besides co-host Holly Willoughby to further pour his heart out.

Writing on Instagram about his decision to come out, he said: ‘With the strength and support of my wife and daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.

‘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.’

He later admitted in a newspaper interview that it was too early to say if he and Steph would stay married.

‘It has taken me a long time to get here, I am not rushing to get to any other place,’ he said. ‘We will always be a family… And where the wind blows us I don’t know. But I still love Steph as much as when we first met. More probably.’

Phillip is married to wife Stephanie and the couple are parents to Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24.

The presenter previously revealed he had been leading the ‘perfect life’ after getting married and raising his two children, claiming he hadn’t wanted anything to get in the way of his happiness.

But he said he was ‘naive’ to think he could suppress his sexuality when he married Stephanie 27 years ago, and he didn’t consider his sexuality as it was such a ‘joyous time’ for him.

Phillip also admitted he battled depression as he struggled with his sexuality, and even sought therapy to come to terms with it, before deciding he found it more helpful speaking to friends in private.

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