This Morning's Phillip Schofield shares praise for 'amazing' Jake Daniels after footballer comes out as gay

Phillip Schofield has shared his praise for Jake Daniels who on Monday (May 16) became the first footballer to come out as gay since 1990. The 17-year-old Blackpool forward is now the UK's first currently active male professional footballer to come out as gay.

He spoke candidly to Sky News and said on the Blackpool club website he had been inspired by other sportsmen to reveal his sexuality and his hopes that "other people look at me and feel maybe they can do it as well."

Phillip and Holly Willoughby, who were fronting the latest episode of This Morning, were chatting about the outpouring of love and support Jake had received on Tuesday's edition of the ITV daytime show.

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The hosting duo were joined by guest commentator Camilla Tominey for the latest 'This Morning's View' segment when she said the story will "resonate with [Phil] in particular" as he came out as gay during an emotional episode of This Morning in 2020.

Phil, 60, said: "There will be a time, I hope, when this isn't our second news story. And we won't need to do it because it won't matter and it won't make the headlines. However, Jake Daniels has hurled the world forward by being incredibly brave. Hopefully, that won't be needed in the future."

He also said he hopes Daniels receives the necessary support to encourage other footballers to be public about their sexuality. Phillip added: "Hats off to Jake, we think you're amazing. What’s important now, and this may be very naive, I think he will have an amazing amount of support, help and care within his own football community. That his football mates, his football club, are all enormously supportive.

"Of course