Phillip Schofield's wife has broken her silence for the first time since he the TV presenter came out as gay.
Stephanie Lowe, 56, married the This Morning star, 57, in 1993 and they share two grown-up daughters together - Molly, 27, and Ruby, 24.
A friend close to the couple previously told The Mirror that Stephanie is "absolutely shattered" that "they have been living a lie for so long".
The source added: "She and the girls love him very much and will support him as much as they can, but the knowledge they have been living a lie for so long is terribly hurtful."
"It's humiliating to think that you're married to someone who doesn't love you the way you love them."
Now Stephanie, who met Phillip while she worked as a BBC production assistant in children's TV, has broken her silence.
She told The Sun on Sunday: "We have had to face the most emotionally painful time in our 27 years of marriage."
Phillip came out to the world in an Instagram post on Friday morning.
This was followed by an emotional interview with This Morning co-star Holly Willoughby live on ITV.
The star said about his wife: "I am feeling pain and confusion, but that comes only from the hurt that I am causing to my family.
"Steph has been incredible - I love her so very much. She is the kindest soul I have ever met.
"My girls have been astonishing in their love, hugs and encouraging words of comfort.
"Both mine and Steph's entire families have stunned me with their love, instant acceptance and support."
As the star revealed to the world he is gay, he wrote on Instagram: "You never know what's going on in someone's seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing - and so you won't know what has been consuming me for the last few years.
"With the strength and support of my wife and my daughters, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I am gay.
"This is something that has caused many heartbreaking conversations at home."
Phillip has also admitted he knew he was gay when he married Stephanie 27 years ago.
He said in an interview: "I must have been gay when I wed but I was so happy I never considered it.
"I am not saying I didn’t know whatever was there. I thought 'OK whatever this is, you stay back because I am happy'."
