Phillip Schofield admits mind took him to ‘dark and scary places’

Watch: Phillip Schofield opens up about his mental health struggles

Phillip Schofield opened up about going to some “dark and scary places” as he discussed mental health on This Morning.

The presenter, 58, came out as gay earlier this year and at the time admitted there had been “some very dark moments”.

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On Thursday’s instalment of the ITV show there was a discussion about male mental health struggles, particularly amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As he talked to Simon Gunning, CEO of charity CALM, Schofield referenced his own troubles and how he had needed help in recent times, and thanked co-host Holly Willoughby for her support.

He told viewers: “Over the next few weeks, I will be talking quite a lot about my mental health and where my head has been in recent times.

“It’s surprising, you know, how you think we’ve got a grip on everything, and then suddenly, your head takes you to dark and scary places.

“You say loved ones can be instrumental in helping and there is no question that I needed a lot of help in recent times.”

The camera panned over to Willoughby as Schofield said: “With people who sit by my side right now, who have helped me enormously.”

“Steph, my wife at home, my girls, my family, and loved ones can be instrumental in helping,” he went on.

Read more: Phillip Schofield says ‘talking saved me’ after he revealed he was gay

“I realise that not everyone is as lucky as I am to have sympathetic ears to listen to people that even understand how you can help someone just by listening.

“But the first point surely has to be reach out to people that know you the best and hopefully you’ll find a rock that you can you tie yourself to.”

Schofield came out publicly in February this year.

He has been married to wife Steph Lowe for 27 years and they have two grown-up daughters, Molly and Ruby.

Talking to The Sun on Sunday, he said covering up his sexuality had taken him to “the darkest of places” but that the support of his wife and children kept him going.