Phillip Schofield claimed the reaction to his age gap romance was ‘homophobic’ – due to the fact Leonardo DiCaprio’s age-gap relationships are accepted.
The former This Morning presenter, 61, sat down with Amol Rajan to discuss the revelation that he had engaged in an extramarital relationship with a ‘much younger’ colleague on the ITV magazine show and his subsequent departure.
During the chat, he alleged homophobia had a part to play in the negative response to the relationship – after he was accused of grooming his former flame.
The homophobia accusations divided social media users, some of whom supported his theory while others insisted he was being ‘narcissistic’ for the claims.
Phillip insisted that if the relationship had been heterosexual there would be much more acceptance and even pointed to Titanic star Leonardo, who is famed for his penchant for dating significantly younger women.
Shocker: Phillip Schofield claimed the reaction to his age gap romance was ‘homophobic’ – due to the fact Leonardo DiCaprio’s age-gap relationships are accepted
Ahem! Phillip insisted that if the relationship had been heterosexual there would be much more acceptance and even pointed to Titanic star Leonardo, who is famed for his penchant for dating significantly younger women
He said: ‘Attraction is attraction. It’s no different in the gay world as it is in the heterosexual world or in the lesbian world.’
The presenter went on to tell The Sun: ‘There shouldn’t be a difference, this is where homophobia comes in. We did first meet when he was 15…
‘I visited the drama school (he attended), so yeah, there’s a difference, it’s accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio, but it’s not accepted if it’s in the gay world.’
Leonardo’s romance with a host of younger women has been called into question on a number of occasions – and often criticised, however this was something Phillip seemed to have missed or at least failed to address.
Earlier this year, Leonardo, 48, was pictured cosying up to 19-year-old model Eden Polani – after which he was subject to a furious backlash, with critics lining up claim his rumoured love interest is somehow being exploited.
The Titanic actor is known for dating women under the age of 25 – but the 29-year age gap between Leo and Paris-born Polani has seen him under fire
across the internet with even TV star Megyn Kelly weighing in.
A host of viewers of the interview, echoed his sentiment about homophobia, writing on the site: ‘Yep I reckon that homophobia has played a part in the reaction to Schofield’s affair, in among all the other complex power relations…
‘This thing with Phillip Schofield has a tinge of homophobia to it. That said despite his career lying and ruins I do not fear for his financial future the way he seems to…
‘Really depressing to hear the Phillip Schofield interview. I’m not a fan of his, and I don’t doubt that he should’ve handled things differently…
‘But I also don’t doubt the homophobia which has put rocket boosters under this story… Considering Phillip Schofield and his ex bf Matthew, were both adults when any romantic relationship started…
‘You have to wonder if all this media hate, is based on homophobia. Like presenters who only pay lip service to LGBTQ rights, felt this gave them a green light to hate.’
Shocking: The presenter went on to tell The Sun: ‘There shouldn’t be a difference, this is where homophobia comes in. We did first meet when he was 15’
Some fans did not agree with the insistence that homophobia played a part in the reaction, with a host of raging Twitter users penning: ‘Phillip Schofield says his career is over following affair…
‘Blaming it on Homophobia not going to do you any favours matey boy !!! Its because you are a lying arrogant CHEAT!!!… Phillip Schofield says his career is over following affair. Schofield ‘ ‘If it was male-female then it wouldn’t be such a scandal’
Phillip also raised Caroline Flack’s name, after the presenter died by suicide in February 2020 following her legal woes over a fight with her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
His discussion of the late star was slammed by some, with the user writing: ‘I’m the real victim!’ A very narcissistic move…
Breaking his silence: Describing himself as a ‘broken’ man, Schofield denied accusations that he groomed the young man who landed a job at This Morning after meeting the former host
‘Meanwhile the actual victim is being bullied into silence after trying to speak out 3 years ago. Leave Caroline Flack’s name out your mouth Phillip! #phillipschofield #schofield #itvmafia #itv’.
Phillip failed to apologise to his wife Stephanie Lowe for his affair with a This Morning colleague in a bombshell BBC interview.
After publicly admitting to having an affair in an explosive statement, the presenter, 61, broke his silence to insist his ‘greatest apology’ over the fallout was to his former lover, adding he was ‘sorry to everyone he lied to.’
In the interview, which was released on Friday morning, Phillip admitted his relationship with Stephanie ‘isn’t brilliant right now,’ but they have ‘a wonderful marriage.’
The former ITV star defiantly flashed his wedding ring while hinting they could prepare their relationship in the future, after The Daily Mail revealed Stephanie has been left both furious and devastated by his admission that he had an affair.
Shocking: After publicly admitting to having an affair, the presenter, 61, broke his silence to insist his ‘greatest apology’ over the fallout was to his former lover
Phillip told BBC’s Amol Rajan: ‘I had a wonderful marriage, have a wonderful marriage [waves his wedding ring], although it’s not brilliant right now, with a incredibly supportive wife and two wonderful children.
Host Amol noted that they are currently ‘separated,’ with Phillip adding: ‘We are separated but we are very much together.’
Asked what he’d like to say to Stephanie, Phillip said: ‘Oh my god, can you imagine how difficult that conversation was?’ before pausing and stating: ‘Let’s just say it was an incredibly difficult conversation.
‘The most difficult conversation I’ve ever had to have with her, and she is extremely disappointed because I lied to her as well. But, she wished me well today, and so we’ll see.’
Speaking out: Phillip told Amol his ‘greatest apology’ over the fallout from the affair was to his former lover
Asked what he’d say to his two daughters, Phillip said: ‘My daughters were, I called them and said ”I have something to tell you” and they came out to see me, and they were unbelievable.
‘I looked at them and thought ”well you got that right, and they don’t think you’re a bully, and they don’t think you’re toxic, and they know you screwed up, royally.’
Phillip told Amol his ‘greatest apology’ over the fallout from the affair was to his former lover.
He said: ‘It has brought the greatest misery into his totally innocent life, his totally innocent family, his totally innocent friends. It has brought the greatest grief to them.’
He added: ‘I am deeply sorry and I apologise to him because I should have known better. I should have acted the way I have always acted. I should not have done it. I’m sorry. And I will forever be sorry. I will die sorry. I am so deeply mortified.’
Upsetting: Phillip said: ‘She is extremely disappointed because I lied to her as well,’ while hinting he still wants to repair their marital relationship
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk