'As Phillip Schofield returns to TV it's his wife and daughters I feel sorry for'

Well, that was a surprise.

I was fully expecting John Barrowman to cry a river on last night’s Dancing On Ice - but no, he stayed dry eyed.

In fact, it was Ashley Banjo who mentioned the elephant in the rink and spoke about the big news of the week, Phillip’s revelation that after nearly three decades of marriage and two grown up daughters he is, in fact, gay.

Phil looked understandably deflated - but it didn’t matter because Holly was inflated enough for the pair of them.

When Ashley mentioned the ‘news’ Phil visibly flinched. I did feel for him but ultimately it is his wife and daughters I have the most sympathy for.

Phillip with his wife Steph (ITV)

The other big news off the ice was that Kevin and Brianne are engaged after just two months.

“Ooh, we love a love story,” gushed Holly. Yes, I’m sure Phil’s wife did too.

The other revelation was that Joe Swash has an almost grown up son who appears infinitely more mature and sensible than him. Who knew?

Phil has thanked his family for their support, including his wife and two daughters (Instagram)

The much-lamented Hamish also made an appearance dancing a sublime number with Vanessa but last night was really only about the greatness that is Perri.

I wish the people who moan about him being a professional dancer and thus having an unfair advantage would just bore off.

Dancing On Ice is an entertainment show.

If you want to see people clinging to the sides of the rink, taking Bambi steps and falling over please go down to your local ice rink on a weekend and watch those nobodies instead.

Damnit, I prefer to be entertained and when I saw Perri skate last night he melted my ice-cold heart and I felt pure unadulterated joy. He was glorious.

Phillip is comforted by Holly when he discusses his sexuality on This Morning (S Meddle/ITV/REX)

I also enjoyed Joe’s performance again and I love Ben and was glad he was saved in the skate off.

H has improved a lot but he was utterly unsufferable telling legendary Torvill and Dean have they ever done a counterbalance.

It’s no Tragedy he is gone, I was not sorry to wave goodbye to his jazz hands but I will miss lovely Matt Evers who finally got a word in edgeways when H stopped yapping.

But onto next week where I am stupidly excited to see what Perri will bring to the ice.

I heard it is going to be prop week and he’s going to be trollied which will be fun I suppose but I really want to see him do a slow number.

It doesn’t even matter that the competition is a one horse race when Perri is such a thoroughbred.