Holly Willoughby was quick to comfort her This Morning co-host as Phillip Schofield momentarily burst into tears while talking to Dame Kelly Holmes about coming out. The two-time gold medal-winning Olympic champion told the world she was gay over the weekend after keeping her sexuality private for over 30 years.
Dame Kelly, now 52, said she realised she was gay at the age of 17 after kissing a fellow female soldier, and that her family and friends have known since 1997. She has spoken out during Pride Month and ahead of a documentary about her experiences called Being Me, where she talks to LGBTQ+ soldiers about their lives in the military now.
The sports star appeared on This Morning on Monday (June 20) to talk to Holly and Phillip, who himself revealed he was gay on the ITV daytime show in February 2021.
Things got off to an emotional start as the hosts introduced Kelly before showing a clip of her upcoming film which heard her say she was 'petrified' about making the doc. Returning to the studio, Dame Kelly was seen on the sofa getting emotional.
"This has been tough, this has been a tough 34 years," Holly said before saying that while family and friends knew, "Publicly saying this out loud and letting everyone know yesterday... waking up this morning, finally having your truth out there, how do you feel?" Dame Kelly admitted to feeling both 'relief and apprehension'.
"I was at home and on social media and the reaction was amazing but I still felt it wasn't the real world and coming out today and sitting here now, it feels like the real world and it's really hard," she added. "I've been having interviews for years but this is such a huge step for me to be open and honest."
Phillip then added: "It's not that long ago that I sat over there in exactly that place and one day, we won't have to do these interviews. One day it won't matter and one day we will just be able to be you and get on with your life. However, we're not quite there yet," before sharing how one of the reasons for speaking out does help other people.
Dame Kelly shared how she had a 'really bad' breakdown in December 2020 which is when she realised she 'had to do something'. "I talk very openly about my mental health but I've always been able to relate it to sport," she added. "Yes, there was an element of that because I've wanted to be Olympic champion since I was 14 but I became a self-harmer, I didn't want to be here, frankly, at some points in my life.
"I've been in a bad way a lot and 2020 I had a really bad breakdown and knew if I couldn't release it, I didn't know what I was going to do," Dame Kelly said as she began to cry. "So I had to do it."
Phillip, 60, then struggled as he said; "Yesterday, you said on Instagram that you were scared. I think I wrote back 'don't be scared' because it'll be ok..." the TV presenter then had to stop as Holly, 41, placed a supportive hand on his leg while also appearing tearful. Through tears he continued: "How do you feel now?"
"I am relieved to finally do it but it's hard to unravel everything so I know I'll feel the relief gradually and I think the responses have been really helping me, ever if I don't look it," Dame Kelly replied as she let out a little laugh through the tears.
READ NEXT:
- ITV This Morning's Phil Vickery throws 'shade' at Dermot O'Leary after 'naughty' segment
- ITV Coronation Street: Off-screen life of Max Turner actor Paddy Bever - Stockport childhood, real age and catfish storyline
Lucy Mecklenburgh finally has a name for baby daughter with Ryan Thomas and it's beautiful
