In 2017 he made a TV documentary called Gareth Thomas v Homophobia challenging gay taunts used by soccer fans at Premiership matches. 'I had a fear people would judge me and treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge. As he finished the swim section in just under an hour and a half, the former rugby player clambered onto his bike for a 112-mile cycle. Rugby star Gareth Thomas spoke on Good Morning Britain about the misconceptions surrounding HIV as he celebrated his wedding anniversary. He said: 'I've been living with this secret for years. Gareth also hugged his parents Yvonne, 70, and Barry, 69, who were cheering him on in the Wales ironman contest in the seaside resort of Tenby, West Wales. I've felt shame and keeping such a big secret has taken its toll. The former Wales captain has had an emotional 24 hours after he revealed to . You have our support Gareth. His autobiography Proud was released in 2015, which gave distressing details about his battle with his sexuality. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of an HIV infection, when the immune system can no longer fight infections. Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas has been accused of "deceptively" transmitting HIV to a previous partner, according to High Court legal papers. Gareth Thomas jokes he is "punching" as he celebrates three-year wedding anniversary, Gareth discussed the misconceptions surrounding HIV, Gareth and Ian are celebrating three years of marriage, Gareth takes daily medication and it ensures his HIV is not contagious. In November 2018 he was assaulted in Cardiff city centre in a homophobic attack. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, A shocking insight into the lives of young people in care, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Nelson's 97th-minute stunner gives Arsenal victory, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78. 15:01, Mon, Sep 23 . Gareth was blowing kisses to the crowd when he saw people he knew behind a barrier. Mr Thomas, who made a public announcement he. Everything is fine,' and the next morning you don't want anyone to see your face, because you think that if people look at you, they will know. The former Lions captain considered 'driving after a cliff' after the diagnosis Credit: Getty Images - Getty. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others. It almost felt as if someone I loved had suddenly died, but he was still standing there in front of me. Something went wrong, please try again later. Spectator Carolyn James, 47, from Swansea said: 'Gareth's fella was waiting on the finishing line for half hour with a big smile on his face. We need to break the stigma once and for all. The former rugby player has kept his marriage out of the limelight, but revealed that the pair met while helping children who were struggling in school. The 45-year-old was cheered on by the crowds as he managed to finish the mammoth Ironman Wales challenge in 12 hours, 18 minutes and 29 seconds, coming 413th out of 2,039 participants. By Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent For Mailonline and Jake Ryan For The Mail On Sunday, Published: 14:05 GMT, 30 January 2023 | Updated: 14:59 GMT, 30 January 2023. "Im speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.. Gareth Thomas CBE is a widely celebrated international rugby star, former Welsh Rugby Captain and former British and Irish Lions Captain. "By doing the Ironman contest he is showing everyone that hes still an incredible athlete. Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies aged 61 after brain aneurysm, Peter Andre sets strict rules for Princess after 'signing deal with fashion retailer', Jake Gyllenhaal flaunts rock-hard abs as he slaps former MMA fighter for Road House remake. But he decided to break the news to his parents and two older brothers after blackmailers started using his diagnosis as a weapon. Prince Andrew chuckles as he encounters female jogger on way to his weekly Windsor horse-riding trip. Thomas completed the challenge inTenby, Pembrokeshire, in 12 hours and 18 minutes. The question about TrainwrecksTV net worth is one of the most enigmatic topic around him. The Celebrity Big Brother star, 45, stunned the sporting world yesterday by dramatically declaring he is living with the incurable virus. Thomas has devoted the last few months getting fit for Ironman Wales, which is taking place in the West Wales seaside resort of Tenby today. GARETH THOMAS and his husband Stephen have revealed how Prince Harry got in touch after the former spoke out about his HIV diagnosis earlier this month. Since he came out in 2009, Thomas has worked with numerous charities, including ChildLine, the Terrance Higgins Trust and Stonewall. I didnt feel anger if anything, I felt sorry for him.. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. He took to social media to share his ordeal and requested South Wales police deal with the 16-year-old suspect by way of restorative justice. Who is Gareth Thomas' husband? The pair have been building themselves up for the moment Gareth announced he is HIV but have been overwhelmed by support from royalty, politicians and other sporing greats. He said he was "shocked" to find after conducting a survey that 50% of people said they felt they could contract HIV from a partner if that partner was on effective treatment . I've felt shame and keeping such a big secret has taken its toll. 'This is not an admission of liability or guilt. He also told that learning of his diagnosis has not been the last trauma he has had to undergo. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW. By I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. He came out as gay in 2009 following a split from his wife and childhood sweetheart Jemma in 2007, becoming the first openly-gay rugby player in Britain. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Keen to get away from the neighbours? His husband Stephen and Stephen's daughter Anna, 23, who all live together in Bridgend joined thousands on the sidelines of the marathon section of Ironman. He spoke about the stigma still surrounding HIV after revealing he has it last September, and he is launching an anti-ignorance campaign. He said: "She treated me with such empathy and understanding and after about 20 minutes I got myself together.". Stephen is from the Valley and isnt used to media attention or the idea of giving interviews, but he loves me and supports me 100% in what Im doing. Onlooker Sue Moore, 58, said: It was a very emotional moment - no one expected it. The fullback was the second highest try scorer for Wales, behind Shane Williams and captained for his country, and various club squads. In January 2012 he went into the Celebrity Big Brother House, finishing in the final three. Gareth 'Alfie' Thomas was a professional Welsh Rugby player who broke one of the biggest taboos in sport when he announced his homosexuality in 2009. I'm speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.'. The man-hug moment came as Gareth completed the 112-mile cycle ride element of the endurance race and was about to start a full marathon. Copyright 2021-2022 Pwapgh.com. The rugby player said: 'Stephen is from the Valley and isn't used to media attention or the idea of giving interviews, but he loves me and supports me 100 per cent in what I'm doing.'. I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. Someone with AIDS has both HIV and at least one of a specific list of 'AIDS-defining' diseases, which include tuberculosis, pneumonia and some types of cancer. All rights reserved. While he was still playing in France he suffered a major health scare after a neck injury. . He has represented Wales in both Rugby Union and Rugby League and was the most capped player in the country until he was overtaken in 2011. W.', His brother Prince Harry called Thomas an 'absolute legend' and said: 'In sharing your story of being HIV+, you are saving lives and shattering stigma, by showing you can be strong and resilient while living with HIV.'. "People will rally around him in the same way they did when he talked about his sexuality 10 years ago. In the event he discovered he 'underestimated' them. 'People in Wales will back him, the same as we did when he came out as gay. 'I only found out about his illness when I arrived here at six this morning. It makes no difference to the measure of the man.'. He went on: 'Sometimes I felt so alone and depressed. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. 'He must be so tough mentally and physically to take part today.'. EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost - to suicide. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. He said: Gareth, you are an absolute legend! The popular television regular and former Wales captain, who. He added that he has started a website to help break down the barriers and that we have to celebrate the steps forward in the science. The married 35-year-old Cardiff Blues player, who in 2007 became the first ever Welshman to win 100 caps for his country, admitted he had been suicidal at times as he hid his sexuality from his. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Will El Salvador's new mega-prison turn into a bloodbath? Gareth Thomas with his husband Stephen on Sunday Credit: Alamy Live News. Rugby's Gareth Thomas has shared his grief over a journalist disclosing that he is HIV positive to his parents before he had chance to tell them. "He was trying to comfort and reassure me and telling me to go and speak to the doctors, but Id already made my mind up that my life was over.". When I first found out that I was going to have to live with HIV, the first thing I thought was straight away: I was going to die, he said. During his time in France he was found guilty of assault in 2005. The 45-year-old bravely told the world . Thomas has reduced his illness to an undetectable state by taking a daily tablet, meaning he cannot pass HIV on to others. Prince Andrew chuckles as he encounters female jogger on way to his weekly Windsor horse-riding trip. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus which attacks the immune systemthe body's defence against diseases. 'I can still hear their cruel laughter': Dr Alex George bravely reveals he suffered with an eating disorder Public Service Announcement, do NOT watch these ads!