Phillip Schofield has compared himself to Leonardo DiCaprio as he addressed the criticism of his affair with a younger ITV member of staff.
The former This Morning star has come under fire in recent weeks after his extra-marital with an ITV runner became public knowledge.
Phillip, 61, previously denied any involvement with the young man but last week admitted to their relationship, insisting that while it was not illegal, it was "unwise".
In a new interview, the dad-of-two addressed the controversy and reaction surrounding the affair and claimed much of the outrage was down to homophobia.
He also stated that straight relationships with a huge age gap are "accepted".
"Attraction is attraction," said Phillip, before adding: "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."
Hollywood star Leonardo, 48, has had a string of high profile relationships with women who are a lot younger than him.
Phillip's comments come after This Morning's editor Martin Frizell says "all will be made public" as he was grilled on the ongoing drama with ITV.
During a clip which aired on GB News, a producer asked Martin: "On what planet is it feasible that you guys never knew about Schofield's lover when he was on stage with you at the NTAs?"
He responded: "There was a good statement that came out from Carolyn [McCall, ITV's chief executive]. I’ll stick with that."
"I know but it's very corporate and I think you owe it to your viewers and shareholders for some proper answers. Why was a production assistant on stage with you, Phillip and Holly?" Reporter Ben Leo asked.
Martin replied: "She made a good statement. Listen, the KC [King's Counsel] will go through all these things and you'll find that you know, when it comes out, everything will be made public."
Phillip stepped down from This Morning from the programme with immediate effect as he admitted lying to ITV, his former management and lawyers over the relationship.
In a statement shared with the media, Phillip, 61, said: "I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story which they wanted to write about me a few days ago.
"The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on This Morning.
"I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at This Morning.
"Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship. That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over."
