OurPath (formerly SSN) Open Forum / British TV presenter comes out of closet after 27 yrs of marriage

**Posted by MJM017** February 7, 2020 2:58 pm

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Last edited by MJM017 (September 23, 2024 3:17 pm)

**Posted by OutofHisCloset** February 7, 2020 3:26 pm

There's a post and discussion of this over the "gender critical" sub of reddit. You can read it without joining that sub. Several gay men have written in to decry the behavior of closeted gay men who deceive wives. Just click on the link below.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GenderCritical/comments/f08us8/did_i_ever_really_know_him_the_women_who_married/

Last edited by OutofHisCloset (February 7, 2020 3:28 pm)

**Posted by Duped** February 7, 2020 5:10 pm

Oh I know of him very well. I grew up with him as a young presenter and he is VERY popular in the U.K. When I was in school over 30 years ago there were some weird rumours about his sexuality but as the years went on it seemed they were only confined to my locals schools which he has zero connection with, just a peculiarity I guess.

Some people are not surprised, others are shocked. I was shocked when I heard it today. I like him, he is a nice man. I was triggered, of course. He’s lived a lie, we here all know how how his wife must feel and he acknowledges her pain. He was interviewed on the daily show he normally hosts (he doesn’t host on a Friday so appeared as a “guest” and to be honest, I felt great sadness for him, he looked visibly shaken and frail, he has clearly lost weight.

I initially said “he must have been caught” and a few other reactive things (obviously, it’s hugely triggering) maybe he has, I don’t know, but he sat in front of the nation, in shock himself and braved it out. Of course I feel immense overriding empathy for his wife but I’m pleased that I also felt empathy for him, he’s not a cruel man, he is a generally kind, empathetic man.

I’m rambling but I’m also acknowledging that I’ve healed. Yes he’s done the terrible thing we’ve had done to us but most people are not all bad. I hope his wife gets equal support to him. I just feel sad to have watched anyone in that much genuine turmoil.

**Posted by Duped** February 8, 2020 2:27 am

To be fair it would be expected of him to tell the whole unvarnished truth to his family.

I wound never ever expect him to do that on national television. It’s none of my or anyone else's business just because he is a television presenter.

I wouldn’t want to tell the unvarnished truth of my own life on telly, who would? Why should he.

**Posted by lily** February 8, 2020 3:35 am

I find myself feeling empathetic towards my ex - I just see it as a symptom of my healing and not about him because where was his kindness and empathy for me.

**Posted by Leah** February 8, 2020 5:48 am

My response to this...it is still a great betrayal. Wonderful that he is so open and honest about it, but yes I would imagine he has had affairs no doubt. How would he decide otherwise.... Anyway I've posted my two cents over on medium.

https://medium.com/@plwsheffield/so-phillip-what-is-your-wifes-story-780e73c93796

**Posted by Ellexoh_nz** February 8, 2020 11:17 am

Leah wrote:
...https://medium.com/@plwsheffield/so-phillip-what-is-your-wifes-story-780e73c93796.....

Leah this is a superbly-written article. As his "bravery" was being extolled in a television report last night I was scoffing and ranting to the man I've been living with for the past 35 years about the unfairness of it all.

His answer was to sweep it under the rug....he turned the tv off.

**Posted by OutofHisCloset** February 8, 2020 1:37 pm

Is anyone else experiencing a shift in the display of the site? That every thing is now centered on my screen is driving me nuts.

**Posted by Ellexoh_nz** February 8, 2020 2:04 pm

OutofHisCloset wrote:
Is anyone else experiencing a shift in the display of the site? That every thing is now centered on my screen is driving me nuts.

Yip....I like it. No more donation page to scroll away!

**Posted by Duped** February 8, 2020 3:18 pm

MJM017 wrote:
People who entice others into being an unknowing beard in the public eye have an obligation to say why they hid their true orientation. The UK had strict anti-gay laws until the early 2000s.

No MJM, they absolutely do not have an obligation to say any of that publicly. I’m disappointed that this community feels entitled enough to demand that of anyone.

What you are outlining is the confession you want to hear for your own situation. The laws don’t demand that people have to bear their entire soul on national television.

Last edited by Duped (February 9, 2020 11:27 pm)