Phillip Schofield tears up as he opens up about mental health struggles

phillip schofield
(Image credit: Dave J Hogan)

Phillip Schofield was seen tearing up on This Morning as he opened up about mental health.

Phillip Schofield was seen fighting back tears as he opened up about mental health on today's instalment of This Morning.

The TV presenter, who fronts the show alongside co-host Holly Willoughby, became visibly emotional as he admitted to experiencing low mental health in during "recent times" and spoke about how the recent coronavirus had impacted his mood.

"It's important to say that over the next few weeks, I will be talking quite a lot about my mental health and where my head has been in recent times," he told viewers during this morning's segment. "It's surprising how you think we've got a grip on everything, and then suddenly, your head takes you to dark and scary places."

A photo posted by on

Phillip Schofield then went on to point out how important it is to have a supportive network around you and gave a nod to co-presenter and close friend Holly as well as his wife of 27 years Steph and the pair's two adult daughters.

"You say loved ones can be instrumental in helping and there's no question that I needed a lot of help in recent times, with people who sit by my side right now, who've helped me enormously," he said.

"Steph, my wife at home, my girls, my family, and loved ones can be instrumental in helping," continued Phillip. "I realise that not everyone is as lucky as I am to have sympathetic ears to listen to people that even understand how you can help someone just by listening.

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"But the first point surely has to be reach out to people that know you the best and hopefully you'll find a rock that you can you tie yourself to."

It comes after the TV star candidly opened up earlier this year, coming out as gay back in February.

In a statement on his social media, Phillip wrote, ‘You never know what’s going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life, what issues they struggling with, or the stated of their wellbeing – and so you won’t know what has been consuming me for the last few years. With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to term with the fact that I am gay.'

He added, 'This will probably come as something of a surprise and I understand, but only by facing this, by being honest, can I hope to find peace in my mind and a way forward.'

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Aleesha is Digital Beauty Editor at woman&home, where she gets to share her expertise into all the best techniques, sharpest tools and newest products—with a particular savvy in skincare and fragrance.

Previously, she was Deputy Editor and Beauty & Fashion Editor for My Imperfect Life, where she headed up the beauty, fashion and eCommerce pages. In the past, she has worked as Shopping Writer at woman&home, gained an AOP awards nomination after working on their news team, contributed to Women's Health, Stylist and Goodto and earned an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London.