Phillip Schofield’s wife Stephanie has spoken out for first time since he came out as gay

The presenter came out earlier this week.

Phillip Schofield's wife Stephanie has spoken publicly for the first time since her husband bravely revealed that he is gay. The This Morning presenter issued a statement earlier this week asking that people "be kind" to his family, who have "stunned me with their love, instant acceptance, and support." The couple had been married for almost 27 years. "We've had to face the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage," Stephanie told The Sun on Sunday.  Steph and Phillip met while they both working at the BBC. They married in 1993 and had their first child, daughter Molly, that same year. They later had a second daughter, Ruby. Phillip has since said that he was aware of his sexuality before they tied the knot. "I am not saying I didn’t know. Whatever was ‘there’ I thought, ‘OK, whatever this is, you stay back because I am happy,'" he said. “If you ask anyone who is gay, they know — there is no confusion.” The This Morning host bravely came out earlier this week via an Instagram Story, where he detailed the pain involved in keeping his sexuality a secret for so long. "With the strength and support of my wife and daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay," he wrote. "This is something that has caused many heart-breaking conversations at home. I have been married to Steph for nearly 27 years and we have two beautiful grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby. "Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud. Yes, I am feeling pain and confusion, but that only comes from the hurt I am causing to my family." Phillip later told co-host Holly Willoughby in an emotive interview that he "never had any secrets" from her and their relationship had always been "honest and open." Holly had shared a post prior to this saying that she had "never been more proud" of her friend.