Phillip Schofield thanks fans for their support after he came out as gay

The This Morning host announced the news during an emotional appearance on Friday's show, telling his co-presenter Holly Willoughby that he had ‘been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay’.

Following an outpouring of support, Schofield, who has been married to wife Steph for more than 20 years, sent a message of thanks to fans.

Writing on his Instagram Story, he said: ‘You will never know how important your support has been today, I've read as much as I can.

‘Please please, no matter your age or your thoughts, TALK to someone, don't let your head beat you and hopefully you'll find out that your friends & family have a remarkable ability to surprise you with their love and understanding.’

He added the hashtag #bekind.

The TV star has been a fixture on This Morning since 2002.

Schofield visited his mother, 83-year-old Pat, in Cornwall to tell her the news and she revealed she told him ‘I don't care’.

She told the Mirror: ‘For him to be so brave in front of so many people was inspiring, because I know how hard it was for him to do.

‘I love Steph and the girls more than anything in the world and I will always be there for them.

‘When Phillip drove to Cornwall to tell me, the first thing I said was I don't care.

‘Yes it was a shock, but nothing as a family that we can't support and applaud.’

Schofield, who met Steph, 55, while she worked in production and he on a BBC children's TV show, said his wife has been ‘incredible’ adding ‘she is the kindest soul I have ever met’.

He said their daughters have been ‘astonishing in their love’ while both his and Steph's families have ‘stunned’ him with their support.