Phillip Schofield talks ‘tough questions’ from Holly amid fears of coming out as gay on TV

He added: “The date was decided because we didn’t want it to be too close to the NTAs (National Television Awards).

“We didn’t want to look like it was a publicity thing. And then I can remember saying, ‘This is ridiculous … this is the biggest thing I’m ever going to do in my life. How is this a publicity stunt? For what?'”

Speaking further about the arrangement, Phillip continued on Simon Thomas’ The Life, Interrupted podcast: “There’s no way it would have been anyone else. There’s not a single person on this planet that I would have done that with other than Holly, it was only going to be her.

“And she was unbelievable. When you’re sitting opposite a mate who is doing this… It’s a fine line.