He hopes that the revelation, and the acceptance that it generates, will fight anxieties about HIV that result from misinformation. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Thomas, who is affectionately known as 'Alfie' due to his 'resemblance to the alien character in the TV sitcom 'Alf', battled with his sexuality for years, telling of how he was driven to the brink of suicide on multiple occasions. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. During his time in France he was found guilty of assault in 2005. ', Wales rugby legend Gareth Thomas is pictured in October 2010. Rugby legend Gareth Thomas revealed on Saturday he is HIV positive in an emotional interview. On how much science had improved treatment, he said: You take a tablet for diabetes or blood pressure but because we deem this so serious, as HIV, nobody can really believe you take one tablet and you lead a normal, healthy, happy life and my husband is not at risk of contracting HIV and hes HIV negative. Revealed: The new '23' number plates the DVLA deems offensive and has banned including EU23 OFF and GO23 HEL, The secret WhatsApp mode that lets you EDIT texts after you've sent them. Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) September 14, 2019. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Complete Encyclopedia Formula One (Motor Racing), Hill, Tim and Gareth Thomas., at the best online prices at eBay! Stephen is 56 years old and has a daughter, Anna, who is 23. "Hes had this condition for quite a while so hes been living with a terrible secret. He explained it was no different to taking daily diabetes medication every day. He completed the swim section in an estimated 1 hour 29 minutes and looked fresh and strong at the transition to the cycle element of the race which ends with a full marathon. Thomas, though, also revealed he was forced to make the admission. 'It was who I was, and I just couldn't ignore it any more. I'm a vet, and here are five dog breeds most prone to cancer - including Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers. In 2017 he made a TV documentary called Gareth Thomas v Homophobia challenging gay taunts used by soccer fans at Premiership matches. I didnt feel anger if anything, I felt sorry for him.. In September 2019 he became the first major British sports star to come out as HIV-positive. Will El Salvador's new mega-prison turn into a bloodbath? Many people live in fear and shame of having HIV, but I refuse to be one of them now. A year after rugby star Gareth Thomas came out as gay, his ex-wife has finally found happiness. Open:The former rugby international, 45, confirmed he is living with HIV in September, after secretly living with the virus for years. 'I'm sad for him but you've got to take your hat off to Gareth. Stephen was the first to sob in the brief encounter but Gareth had to wipe away tears as he rejoined the race. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. Speaking ahead of a documentary for BBC Wales, he added that he had thought his life would be over after finding out the diagnosis. 'I think our relationship is unbreakable because of what I've been through.'. He also told that learning of his diagnosis has not been the last trauma he has had to undergo. 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. He was alive but lost to me. . We need to break the stigma once and for all. Kate and Prince William 'are keen' for Prince George to have official role in King Charles' coronation - but Royally hard work! Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article. I've felt shame and keeping such a big secret has taken its toll. With 100 appearances he was the most capped Welsh Rugby Union player ever until 2011 when the accolade was taken by Stephen Jones. The rugby legend yesterday said he is revealing his diagnosis because he wanted to 'make a difference' by helping end the stigma surrounding the virus. 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. Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas appeared on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday where he spoke to hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. "And one thing that was really personal to me was that a third of people we surveyed said that if there was somebody playing a contact sport that was HIV positive, that they would stop participating in that sport, they wouldn't take the field with somebody who was HIV positive. "We should all be appalled by the way you were forced to speak your truth, it is yours and yours alone to share on your terms and I and millions stand with you.. Ive been threatened by people who said they would give away my secret. VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. 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. You have our support Gareth. Ian Baum has accused the former Wales rugby captain of "deceptively" transmitting HIV to him, Gareth Thomas disclosed he was HIV positive in 2019, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. : 'He has been a beacon of light for me. As he drove to Cardiff Royal Infirmary, he called a friend in tears: "I told him, Ive got HIV Im going to die. "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.". Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate Middleton today hailed "courageous" Gareth Thomas as the rugby hero competed in a gruelling Ironman contest just hours after bravely revealing his battle with HIV. He revealed that afterwards he was 'threatened by people who said they would give away my secret', who he feared would 'use it as a weapon' against him and his family. 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. Mr Baum is suing the TV personality for 150,000. The former Wales captain said he had made the decision to settle with Ian Baum 'for myown mental health and that of my family' - insisting that the move was 'not an admission of liability or guilt'. "I'd probably say I am, my husband married me because of my rugby prowess and rugby strength," said Gareth. His father Barry, 69, is a retired postal worker, and his mother Yvonne, 70, a former hospital secretary. 'I immediately thought I was going to die,' he said. Discover your rider rating - how many one-star reviews do 'I want to be a French child!' We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Gareth Thomas was forced to reveal his HIV diagnosis after sick blackmailers threatened to expose his secret. Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, is married to Stephen. and In January 2012 he went into the Celebrity Big Brother House, finishing in the final three. Mr Thomas' legal team has been asked to comment, but it is understood that he is strongly contesting the claim. Thomas was part of ITV's broadcast team for the World Cup in Japan in 2019. Gareth Thomas came close to suicide after confessing to his wife that he was gay. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? "Nobody can contract HIV if they use the same fork or the same glass.". Gareth takes one tablet a day, and it means he will not infect a sexual partner with HIV. After missing two months, he announced he would be retiring from the sport in October that year. Gareth is one of the worlds leading international try-scorers, and he has been supported throughout his career by Jemma, who he met when the pair were youngsters. Thomas has reduced his illness to an undetectable state by taking a daily tablet, meaning he cannot pass HIV on to others. 'You wake up one morning thinking: 'I can handle it. The former Wales and British and Irish Lions player, who came out as gay in 2009, yesterday revealed he kept his HIV status a secret over fears he would be 'treated like a leper' - and was today hailed for his bravery by Princes William and Harry. Thomas did not say when he was diagnosed, but revealed that he had to tell a number of former sexual partners as a matter of 'duty' so they could get themselves tested too. You have our support Gareth. Mr Thomas, 48, was accused by Mr Baum, 59, of 'assault, battery, infliction of intentional harm and negligence'. 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.'. The former rugby international, 45, confirmed he is living with HIV in September, after. 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. He turned and rejoined the race but you could see tears in Gareths eyes. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW. Gareth, who was married to teen sweetheart Jemma for six years before coming out, said: I sat down on a chair next to a doctors bench. Mr Thomas, who made a public announcement he. Despite cracking his head in the early rounds, Louganis emerged from the Games as a double-gold medalist and subsequently revealed his HIV. The couple live in Bridgend, 20 miles west of Cardiff with Stephen's daughterAnna, 23. Read about our approach to external linking. The Facebook predator who lured schoolgirls to run away with him is one of 7,000 sex fiends who offended Are YOU a romantic comedy buff? He was greeted with cries of 'Come on Alfie' and 'Go Gareth' as he emerged triumphant from the first two legs of the race. Following their divorce in 2009, Thomas announced his sexuality to the world and went on to marry partner Stephen, who does not share his health status, seven years later. He also appeared on Dancing on Ice as a pundit and has been given his own shows on BBC Wales including Run for Your Life when he trained a group of overweight and unfit women from the Welsh Valleys to get fit for the Cardiff Half Marathon. Prince Andrew chuckles as he encounters female jogger on way to his weekly Windsor horse-riding trip. I thought about driving off a cliff. Those diagnosed with the virus once had a bleak prospect. The popular television regular and former Wales captain, who took part in the 140-mile triathlon in Tenby, says he wants to end the stigma associated with the condition. Thomas made the announcement yesterday -saying sick blackmailers had started using his diagnosis as a weapon. Thomas, who is affectionately known as 'Alfie' due to his 'resemblance to the alien character in the TV sitcom 'Alf', battled with his sexuality for years, telling of how he was driven to the brink of suicide on multiple occasions. The former Wales captain stopped mid-race to lean over the . His husband does not have HIV and the couple live in Bridgend, South Wales, with Stephen's 23-year-old daughter Anna. In 2020, Thomas was given a special prize at Wales' St David Awards for campaigning against HIV stigma, one year after publicly revealing he had the virus. Earlier he finished a 2.3 mile swim in the event which started at 7am on Sunday morning. When people find out they look at you differently, treat you differently or they act differently,' he said. These include: But Gareths condition is now under control to the point it is considered 'undetectable' and cannot be passed on. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. The trio live together in Bridgend, Wales. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? I've felt shame and keeping such a big secret has taken its toll. 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.'. 'Everyone supported him when he came out as gay and that support will be even stronger now.'. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Do YOU know your Adam and Eve from your Ruby Murray? I'd been through every emotion under the sun trying to deal with this. their fourth in successionCooper rues 'self-inflicted' defeat Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper said:"I think a lot of it is self-inflictedWe rode our luck at times, of course we did, but we had to stay strongWe were really good to show great characterwinning their last nine league games straight after holding Arsenal to a 0-0 draw at Kingsmeadow in February. Without medication people with HIV can develop AIDS. He told The Sunday Mirror: Ive been living with this secret for years. Complete Encyclopedia Formula One (Motor Racing), Hill, Tim and Gareth Thomas., 9781445439624 | eBay Very little is known about Stephen, who Thomas said has lived a life out of the public eye. He said: "I think if you went out on the street right now and told 10 people you have HIV, 50 per cent of them would be scared youre going to give it to them. By His older brothers are Richard and Steven. The former Wales captain has had an emotional 24 hours after he revealed to . To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Keen to get away from the neighbours? HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust said in a statement: 'Gareth Thomas has spoken publicly about living with HIV for the very first time ahead of taking on the Ironman Waleschallenge. It makes no difference to the measure of the man.'. The happy couple were married in front of 70 family and friends including Gareths close pal H from pop band Steps. "Two thirds of people would consider ending or would end a relationship if they found out that their partner was HIV positive. The sports legend told how he went through hell as he tried to keep his health battle hidden from his friends and family. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Prince William tweeted his support, describing Thomas as'Courageous as ever legend on the pitch and legend off it. Although Gareth Thomas is the first UK sportsman to bravely reveal his HIV diagnosis, he was not the first worldwide. Many felt that Ralph Hasenhuttl was a man on the brink at that pointCrystal Palace are readying a 20m January transfer bid for Conor Gallagher if the England midfielder's Chelsea dream is shattered000 workers across various tournament services and 40 gareth thomas husband, If Costa passes his medical. 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. RAF Typhoon jets cause massive sonic boom sweeping across central England when they scramble to intercept a Do YOU know your Adam and Eve from your Ruby Murray? Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Gareth was forced to consult legal representatives and speak out about his diagnosis after a tabloid newspaper found out about his HIV status and sent reporters to his parents home. 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.'. 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"Now even though I've been forced to tell you this, I choose to fight to educate.". RUGBY legend Gareth Thomas broke down in tears hugging his husband during an Ironman race today just hours after revealing he is HIV positive. While he was still playing in France he suffered a major health scare after a neck injury. The world's best movie director you've never heard of: How little-known film-maker has even toppled the A big Beckham birthday!