During the lockdown, when he posted a photo on Instagram describing himself and a male companion taking a walk, rumors began to circulate immediately. However, he hastened to close the proposals for a romance, saying to the fans: “This is the name of family friends you have known for 20 years and who come to check if you are well.” In an episode of the How To Wow podcast, he told Chris Evans that he did not know if or when he would remove his wedding ring, saying: “I’m still married to Steph.” He added: “It is not in my nature to hurt people and so I have to come to terms with the fact that I have done it … I tried very hard not to do it. READ NOW: John Cleese leaves BBC interview beyond the line of inquiry “I also say, is it possible to go out and not hurt your wife? No, of course not. My biggest concern is being well.” So far he has not publicly announced a new relationship and has suggested that he is not yet ready to go on a date. This did not stop fellow showbiz star Graham Norton, 57, from joking naughtily about the “secret friend” that Philip may have had “squirrel”. “Would I date him? I’m not sure,” Graham smiled mysteriously at Chris on the aforementioned podcast after meeting gay celebrities. Affectionately shortening the name of the showbiz star’s colleague, he added: “I imagine Pip has a secret friend of his squirrel far away somewhere. “I do not know why I call him Pip! But Graham withdrew his joke a little later. When Chris raised the issue of whether “Pip” had a partner, he clarified: “No, not that I know!”. The discussion became more serious when he thought about how the This Morning star might have felt before informing the world about his sexuality. “Keeping this secret, what it does to you… is so strange,” Graham lamented, adding that it was quite difficult for him to keep his gay identity as a “child” silent. Despite being a successful TV presenter, Graham made it clear that he still has to “go out” to people to this day. “I’m a bit gay and as famous as you can be and even now I’ll still be in the back of a taxi and the taxi driver will make a comment about … women wearing skinny dresses or short skirts or low – cut t – shirts” , explained. “As a gay man in the back of this taxi, you have to make a decision. “Will I go out with this man? Or will I smile and shake my head and hope this conversation changes? He added: “I think it’s on a knowledge base and I guess Phillip Schofield got to a point where he felt people needed to know.” However, Graham praised the fact that those around him “immediately accepted” his sexuality – and similarly, Phil said he encountered a burst of support when he went live with his girlfriend and co-host Holly Willoughby. He was married to Stephanie for 27 years. Fortunately, she was supportive, as were her two eldest daughters, Molly and Ruby, who share the couple.
