This Morning's Philip Schofield became emotional listening to Dame Kelly Holmes' coming out story.
Dame Kelly Holmes appeared on This Morning to discuss her coming out as gay just days after she made the announcement. She said all the love and support she has received has made her feel "really emotional" but that it's "all still a bit scary."
This Morning presenter Philip Schofield went through his own coming out experience in 2020 where he revealed live on air he was gay as he relied on co-host Holly for support. As Dame Kelly revealed the battles she faced until now, Phil was visibly upset as her story struck a chord to his own.
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Getting emotional, Dame Kelly added: "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 in 2020 I had a really bad breakdown. I knew if I couldn’t release it, then I didn’t know what I was going to do, so I had to do it.”
Phillip's voice became frail as he held back tears and relied on Holly for support. He asked Dame Kelly how she feels now and she said: "I am relieved to finally do it, but it’s hard to unravel everything, so I know the relief will come gradually. The responses are really helping me, but it’s that relief and that final thing of releasing myself to have my life. I can honestly say I don’t feel I have ever been happy."
Dame Kelly went on to talk about how her family have been supportive but said her mother's death was what spurred her on to live her most authentic life. She said: "My mum passed away and it was devastating, it was almost the start of me needing to change, it ripped my heart apart and she always wanted me to just live my life.
"I’m here now and out of everything that I feel hurts me, I do know and I hope I have an authoritative voice to change things, to make things better, that people don’t live in fear and people live their life."
If you've been affected by any issues raised in this story you can contact the Samaritans for free on 116 123
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