Phillip Schofield: Fern Britton discusses him coming out as gay 'The timing surprised me'

express.co.uk:

Phillip Schofield came out as gay via a statement on Instagram on February 7. Fern Britton, who worked with the presenter on This Morning for the best part of a decade, has now addressed his news.The 62-year-old admitted she was "surprised" by the timing of it all as she spoke out for the first time.The author admitted "it must be tough" for his "lovely" family, in a new interview with The Mail On Sunday's Weekend magazine.Fern said she is "very glad" Phillip, 58, "found out who he is", much like she has also done.The star also made a big announcement this year, revealing in Janaury that she and her husband Phil Vickery had split.When asked about Phillip coming out, Fern told the publication she instantly thought about his wife Stephanie.