Phillip Schofield compares reaction to his fling with ‘much-younger’ colleague to Leonardo DiCaprio’s penchant for age-gap romances… as he divides viewers with interview
Phillip Schofield claimed the reaction to his age gap romance was ‘homophobic’ – due to the fact Leonardo DiCaprio‘s age-gap relationships are accepted.
The former This Morning presenter, 61, sat down with Amol Rajan to discuss the revelation that he had engaged in an extramarital relationship with a ‘much younger’ colleague on the ITV magazine show and his subsequent departure.
During the chat, he alleged homophobia had a part to play in the negative response to the reaction – after he was accused of grooming his former flame.
The homophobia accusations divided social media users, some of whom supported his theory while others insisted he was being ‘narcissistic’ for the claims.
Phillip insisted that if the relationship had been heterosexual there would be much more acceptance and even pointed to Titanic star Leonardo, who is famed for his penchant for dating significantly younger women.
Shocker: Phillip Schofield claimed the reaction to his age gap romance was ‘homophobic’ – due to the fact Leonardo DiCaprio’s age-gap relationships are accepted
Ahem! Phillip insisted that if the relationship had been heterosexual there would be much more acceptance and even pointed to Titanic star Leonardo, who is famed for his penchant for dating significantly younger women
He said: ‘Attraction is attraction. 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.’
A host of viewers of the interview, echoed his sentiment about homophobia, writing on the site: ‘Yep I reckon that homophobia has played a part in the reaction to Schofield’s affair, in among all the other complex power relations…
‘This thing with Phillip Schofield has a tinge of homophobia to it. That said despite his career lying and ruins I do not fear for his financial future the way he seems to…
‘Really depressing to hear the Phillip Schofield interview. I’m not a fan of his, and I don’t doubt that he should’ve handled things differently…
‘But I also don’t doubt the homophobia which has put rocket boosters under this story… Considering Phillip Schofield and his ex bf Matthew, were both adults when any romantic relationship started…
‘You have to wonder if all this media hate, is based on homophobia. Like presenters who only pay lip service to LGBTQ rights, felt this gave them a green light to hate.’
Some fans did not agree with the insistence that homophobia played a part in the reaction, with a host of raging Twitter users penning: ‘Phillip Schofield says his career is over following affair…
Shocking: 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’
‘Blaming it on Homophobia not going to do you any favours matey boy !!! Its because you are a lying arrogant CHEAT!!!… Phillip Schofield says his career is over following affair. Schofield ‘ ‘If it was male-female then it wouldn’t be such a scandal’
Phillip also raised Caroline Flack’s name, after the presenter died by suicide in February 2020 following her legal woes over a fight with her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
His discussion of the late star was slammed by some, with the user writing: ‘I’m the real victim!’ A very narcissistic move…
‘Meanwhile the actual victim is being bullied into silence after trying to speak out 3 years ago. Leave Caroline Flack’s name out your mouth Phillip! #phillipschofield #schofield #itvmafia #itv’.
Breaking his silence: Describing himself as a ‘broken’ man, Schofield denied accusations that he groomed the young man who landed a job at This Morning after meeting the former host
