Life's What You Make It
Page 34
I was right in one respect. Pressing the ‘nuke’ button released a lot of pressure. It’s certainly not sunny with blue skies in my head at the moment – it may never be – but the sky isn’t always as black as it was and there are fewer hurricanes.
I know for a fact that, no matter what, I love the three most important women in my life, and I know they love me. All three of my girls have read this book and have given their approval. We all know that releasing it will open everything up to scrutiny again and that Sauron will once more look in our direction, I hope kindly, at least for them.
Work is my enduring foundation. My life in television remains as exciting and fulfilling as it was when I first looked into a camera in the Shazam! audition. It is where I want to be, it is everything I had hoped it would be and more and it has given me some of the greatest moments of my life. It is also where I intend to stay for as long as it will have me. I think it will decide when it is bored of me, long before I am bored of it. There is constant speculation that Holly and I are leaving This Morning. As I type these words, that is most definitely not the case. We have travelled with the show through the uncertainty of lockdown and we intend to be there when the world walks blinking into the sunshine again and then to continue with it into the future. Beyond that, I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know. Which of us can map out their future with confidence? Let’s just see what happens, eh? And 2021 will mark forty years in television for me, so I’ll stick around for the party.
There have been many times when I’ve thought how lucky the kid from Newquay has been. There are moments when I’ve pinched myself and thought, ‘How did this ever happen? How did you do this? How did you get here?’ Sometimes, when people ask me how I am, I’ll reply, ‘Still getting away with it.’ I never forget how lucky I am.
When I served that explosive can of Coke to the bright-red man at the end of Fistral beach, I could have no idea that this was where my life would take me. In a way, I’m thankful to lockdown for giving me the time to tell it. I’ve interviewed so many people who have written their autobiographies, many of whom say it was a cathartic experience. I think it’s been cathartic. Most of it has been great fun to remember and to discuss with everyone. I’m just not sure yet how much the final couple of chapters have helped. Maybe they helped you? If that happens to be the case, then it was worth it.
As I said in my statement, released on Instagram: ‘You never know what is going on in someone’s seemingly perfect life, what issues they are struggling with, or the state of their wellbeing.’ I hope I have now explained a little more than I wrote in that brief statement. I went on to say: ‘My inner conflict contrasts with an outside world that has changed so very much for the better. Today, quite rightly, being gay is a reason to celebrate and be proud.’ I am immensely proud of myself. I’m not sure about the celebration, though. Maybe that will come in time. Besides, the pubs are shut anyway.
We are all walking our own paths through life, sometimes alone, sometimes with company. Some of us on that path have a clear, determined view of the destination, some are stumbling and lost. Some smile as they walk, others walk with their heads down. The path can be joyful and fulfilling or it can be chaotic, confusing and frightening. Whatever path we walk, we have to take comfort and support from those we find walking beside us. We should not be embarrassed to hold out our hand for help and allow others to show us the way forward. If we see someone stumble and fall, we should be there to offer our hand to help them back up because, no matter who we are, we all walk together.
Talk openly to the people around you, they may surprise you with their understanding. Above all … be kind.
What on earth am I going to do now? Maybe I’ll buy a bike.
Heron Street in Oldham, my first home. Looks like Dad has ingeniously secured my bath on an upturned table.
On the rocks at Little Fistral. Incidentally, Mum said I hated that outfit with a vengeance.
One of my first school photos from Trenance Infant School in Newquay. Why didn’t the photographer tell me to stop biting my lip?
Dad set the timer on his camera and accidentally farted as he ran back to take his position.
The last picture with the Newquay family before we set off to New Zealand.
I was amazed when the Shazam! team said I needed cards to send out to fans. It never crossed my mind.
Sitting in one of my favourite places, at the decks of Radio Hauraki in Auckland.
The first picture of me taken in the broom cupboard. The view behind was what I could see as I sat behind the desk.
Messing about on a Going Live photo shoot with Sarah Greene.
Dressed up for a spot of ballroom dancing on Going Live with Sarah.
I loved the tradition of signing autographs after a Radio 1 Roadshow. For years I had stood in the queue to get an autograph, now it was my turn to sit in the window.
Who would ever believe I’d get there! The crowd at the Newquay Radio 1 Roadshow was vast. Oh, and Jason Donovan came too.
Cheeky snog in the hall with Steph at our house in Chiswick.
Our wedding pic taken by the fireplace in the Great Hall at Ackergill Tower in Wick.
With beautiful Steph on our wedding day. The papers insisted I wore a kilt.
Pictures all taken by our official photographer, my brother Tim. Steph’s brother Tim’s job was to do the video.
Molly’s first trip to visit Mum and Dad in their cottage in Trerice, Newquay.
Snuggled up with Molly in bed in our new house.
Our family is complete, Ruby has arrived.
On stage at the London Palladium with Joseph and wearing the coat that ended up in the boot of my car.
The world’s most sophisticated simulator at the time. Learning to manoeuvre Concorde at Filton in Bristol.
Celebrating my brother Tim’s birthday at Cliveden.
With Emma Forbes, Céline Dion and producer Jeff Thacker on the set of Talking Telephone Numbers.
Emma and I had to be ‘blown up’ for a joke on Talking Telephone Numbers.
Two smilers, my dad and Ruby at my brother’s wedding. He was utterly besotted with the girls.
The last photo taken of my wonderful dad on the day he showed off his fly fishing skills in the garden, by casting his fly onto a plate.
With my gorgeous girls on a picnic.
Mum and Dad all dressed up in our garden ready to go to the Henley Festival.
In our festival finest with my mum and dad and Steph’s parents, John and Gill.
The adorable Bernard Cribbins on a clay pigeon shoot. The only friend I had that my dad was in awe of.
Our clay pigeon shooting team for the day. With Sarah Greene and her husband, Mike Smith.
The five amigos off on a jolly: me, Russ Lindsay, Nick Alsopp, who also joined us for lunch, Peter Powell, Darren Worsley and Paul Worsley.
My gorgeous girls out for another family picnic. We used to drive to the field behind the house in case anybody needed a wee.
My beautiful, wonderful, one-in-a-million girl.
Whenever the family come over it’s a tradition to take a group picture. This one has the whole clan.
Ruby hitching a lift on a holiday to Portugal.
With Ruby, endless sunny days in the pool.
Part of my 24-hour TV marathon. About 20 hours in I broadcast live all the way from ITV to Downing Street and back and interviewed then Prime Minister David Cameron.
With Holly on a photo shoot, they usually end up like this, make-up ruined and Holly on the floor trying not to wet her pants!
Me and my girls, all Friends fanatics, at the London FriendsFest.
Thank You
To my gorgeous Stephie. Literally, no words will ever suffice. I love you.
To Molly and Ruby, for loving me so much. No man could wish for two more perfect daughters.
To you all … Us 4, for ever. The same, but different.
To my incredible, understanding, endlessly loving and, as it turns
out, very modern mum, thank you for being there and for the calming chats.
To my dad, the kindest man in the world and who gave me my sense of humour. I hope I still make you proud.
To my brother, Tim, you mean the absolute world to me, but you know that.
To my incredible family for not wavering for a second.
To my wonderful network of friends, who have made me and us feel so supported.
To my teams past and present at YMU (James Grant), who, over the years, have always been there for me 24/7.
To Pete, Paul, Daz, Russ and Simon, you know how important you are to me, my besties.
To darling Mish, ‘lil sis’, for her diligent checking.
To Amanda at YMU, for teasing this book out of me.
To my manager, Emily Page, always by my side in waters calm or stormy.
To Martin Frizell and Emma Gormley, I couldn’t be in more caring, gentle and calming hands.
To Kevin Lygo, Carolyn McCall, Peter Bazalgette and the entire ITV family, for your support, kindness and for making me feel safe.
To the ever loyal This Morning team, who I totally adore and of whom I’m so proud.
To everyone I have worked with over the years. Each of you has individually added all the layers and wonderful colour to my career. Thank you for adding your memories and some of the details for this book.
To Phil, Jill and Emma, who take care of my head when the storm rages.
Thank you to Holly, for listening, hugging (when we were allowed), reassurance, love and wisdom. The sister I never had, I love you so much.
To Louise, Charlotte, Clare and the team at Michael Joseph, my publishers (how grown-up!). I couldn’t have met a kinder and more thoughtful new literary family, not just for me, but also for Steph.
Thank you to Lisa, Jo, Anne, Lesley, Amanda, Grainne, Ellen, Jan, Julie and Grace. I’m immensely lucky to have such incredibly loyal fans, but you win the prize for being there the longest.
To Charlie Mackesy, whose book helped me so much when I needed it. I’m immensely grateful that you have done an illustration for me.
Thank you to Joss for being so caring and kind as I recorded the audio-book.
And thank you … to you, for reading and for sticking with me through the years x
THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING
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PENGUIN BOOKS
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Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
First published by Michael Joseph in 2020
Copyright © Phillip Schofield, 2020
The moral right of the author has been asserted
Plate section: Plate 1: Page 3: © TVNZ/Getty; Plate 2: Page 1: © Celador Entertainment; Plate 2: Page 4: © Photographs by David Hartley; Plate 2: Page 7: © Photograph by Nicky Johnston, Camera Press London.
Integrated: 1. P. 92, © TVNZ/Getty; 3. P. 231 & P. 234, © Photographs by Terry McGough; 4. P. 267, © Celador Entertainment; 5. P. 289 © Freemantle; 6. P. 309 & P. 314 © ITV/Shutterstock.
Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. The publisher apologizes for any errors or omissions and would be grateful to be notified of any corrections that should be incorporated in future editions of this book.
Front cover photo: Vincent Dolman, Camera Press London
ISBN: 978-1-405-94913-2
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
Table of Contents
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
Author’s Note
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Images
Thank You
Copyright