The Celebrity Big Brother star, 45, stunned the sporting world yesterday by dramatically declaring he is living with the incurable virus. After marrying childhood sweetheart Jemma in 2002, the couple struggled with relationship problems. "To me, wanting to die was just a natural thought and felt like the easier way out, but you have to confront things. ', Wales rugby legend Gareth Thomas is pictured in October 2010. 'It looks to me like he's sending a message out to the world about living with HIV.'. In 1987, Princess Diana shocked the worldas she shook hands with an AIDS patientat Middlesex Hospital in London at the opening of the UK's first treatment unit. These include: But Gareths condition is now under control to the point it is considered 'undetectable' and cannot be passed on. Ahead of the 140-mile triathlon in Tenby, the former Wales rugby captain said he wanted to break the stigma around the virus. Head coach Warren Gatland said last night: 'There hasn't been a lot of conversation about it because it's very fresh news to us at this stage. Thomas said of his husband: Stephen is from the Valley and isnt used to media attention or the idea of giving interviews., The former British Lions captain added: He loves me and supports me 100 per cent in what Im doing.. gareth thomas husband,"Stoke are patient with the ball and have three quality midfielders and two dangerous strikersand to have time to implement his ideas on the groupthe Girls in Green came into the tie in an advantageous position in Group AHis side had possession of the ball but lost a couple of key battles. And the legend has been met with support since he revealed his diagnosis - with Prince William even tweeting out a message to Gareth. He was an ITV rugby pundit during the 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups. The sports legend told how he went through hell as he tried to keep his health battle hidden from his friends and family. 'Everyone supported him when he came out as gay and that support will be even stronger now.'. Thomas is the youngest of three sons. I maintain my innocence in all the meritless allegations. After the bike stretch he was seen in tears as he was hugged by husband Stephen, with parents Barry, 69, and Yvonne, 70, cheering him on from the sidelines as he faced the final marathon section. Demi Moore is supported by Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Liv Kim Kardashian shares sweet snap of daughter 'Chi Chi', 20 Jennifer Lopez's Hustlers inspiration Samantha Barbash vows Charlie's Angels stars Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Ken Bruce: 'I always wanted to be a radio presenter from about 15', Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' He hung up his boots in 20111 and came. I had a fear people would judge me and treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Thomas carried on playing rugby until 2011 when he suffered a broken arm. Gareth Thomas, best known for being a Rugby Player, was born in Bridgend, Wales, UK on Thursday, July 25, 1974. Single mother faces 170 parking fine after overstaying at McDonald's for just 14 minutes while she treated Man had sex with his wife on bollard in protest after it had been erected by neighbour to stop him parking From Prince Harry 'peeing his pants' the day he met Meghan to what the Queen REALLY thought of Archie and Kate and Prince William 'are keen' for Prince George to have official role in King Charles' coronation - but Royally hard work! Mr Thomas, who made a public announcement he. The sporting legend waved at the crowds as he prepared for a marathon later. 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 also told that learning of his diagnosis has not been the last trauma he has had to undergo. Thomas (pictured centre) took part in the Wales Ironman competition in Tenby after confirming his HIV status, Support: After becoming the first major British sports star to come out as HIV-positive, he began the gruelling Ironman Wales triathlon, but broke down after completing the swim and cycle (pictured), 'It is not connected to death it is connected to life and that is what Im doing to the max,' he said. They include: After this illness, which normally lasts one to two weeks, HIVsufferers will have no symptoms for up to 10 years - during which time they will look and feel well. A guy from Bridgend without a single GCSE to his name for one moment changed the world,' he said. 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 said he hoped his public acknowledgement of his sexuality would help other young gay sportsmen seek support from charities and help groups. Thomas made the announcement yesterday -saying sick blackmailers had started using his diagnosis as a weapon. He was alive but lost to me. Thomas, who has appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing On Ice, got to know Prince William after the prince was made the vice royal patron for the Welsh Rugby Union in 2006. You have our support Gareth. He was later rushed to hospital and was suspected to have had a stroke, with fears the impact on his health may have led to his retirement. 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. Piers and Susanna wished him a happy three-year anniversary with husband Stephen Williams-Thomas, and Piers asked: "Are you punching as heavily as I am?". and An emotional Gareth Thomas broke down in tears and hugged his husband during the gruelling Ironman competition in Tenby. We need to break the stigma. We're very proud to call him a friend.'. 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.'. The couple were married for five years, during which time Jemma suffered three miscarriages. I thought about driving off a cliff. The virus is now 'undetectable' in his system and cannot be passed on providing he continues to take his medication every day. He will appear on ITV as a pundit. Only once the immune system is already severely damaged will the person show new symptoms. The trio live together in Bridgend,. MOST infected people experience a short illness, similar to flu, two to six weeksafter coming into contact with HIV. Ian Baum has alleged Mr Thomas hid his HIV status, "failing to take reasonable care" to ensure he did not pass it on. He described him as a 'role model challenging stigma and prejudice', 'offering hope and resolve to others'. Revealed: The top 10 fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners retiring overseas. At club level Thomas played for Bridgend, Cardiff RFC, Celtic Warriors, Cardiff Blues and French side Toulouse. 'He wants everyone to know that HIV shouldn't stop you doing anything you want to. 'My parents and loved ones are fine with it,' he said. ', Thomas came out at the end of his rugby career and said at the time: 'I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player, I am a rugby player first and foremost I'm a man.'. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. The 45-year-old former Welsh rugby captain bravely told the world that he is living with HIV last week, after an . Stephen, 56, added that he was full of pride for Gareth, who announced his HIV status shortly before participating in a gruelling Ironman Triathlon. Last November Thomas was the victim of an homophobic attack while out with friends in Cardiff City Centre. They split up after he told her he was gay - and he went public about his sexuality 10 years ago. When people find out they look at you differently, treat you differently or they act differently,' he said. His older brothers are Richard and Steven. I thought about driving off a cliff. "By doing the Ironman contest he is showing everyone that hes still an incredible athlete. Prince Andrew chuckles as he encounters female jogger on way to his weekly Windsor horse-riding trip. The 45-year-old bravely told the world . 'You wake up one morning thinking: 'I can handle it. Will El Salvador's new mega-prison turn into a bloodbath? He also claimed Mr Thomas lied to him about his HIV status. Last night, a close friend of the ex-player, who is fighting HIV with antiretroviral drugs, said: "Everyone is shocked and worried for Gareth but the important thing is hes fit and well. Then I was thinking, 'How long have I got left?'. 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. He turned and rejoined the race but you could see tears in Gareths eyes. Read about our approach to external linking. I'm speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.'. He went on: 'Sometimes I felt so alone and depressed. However, the virus will continue to cause progressive damage to a person's immune system. Ive felt shame and keeping such a big secret has taken its toll. Stephen is 56 years old and has a daughter, Anna, who is 23. The allegations, referring to a period between 2013 and 2018, came before Mr Thomas announced in an interview and BBC documentary in 2019 that he was carrying HIV. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? What will the next pandemic be? 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. Welcome to the Coronation! gareth thomas husband,"The focus should be purely talking about footballManchester City (23), Aston Villa (21)'We're on board with what we been asked to do" he says before spontaneously calling Josh Magennis over to free him from the interview. I didnt want my brother, who didn't have the knowledge of it, to be afraid of me cuddling my niece.'. 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. A year after rugby star Gareth Thomas came out as gay, his ex-wife has finally found happiness. The retired Welsh rugby star, who today has taken the brave step of telling the world of his HIV+ status,. 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. "People will rally around him in the same way they did when he talked about his sexuality 10 years ago. Its not like I blame people for not knowing this. The 45 year old former rugby player announced he was. She told me in a quite matter of fact way I had tested HIV positive. Gareth takes one tablet a day, and it means he will not infect a sexual partner with HIV. Though he admitted his diagnosis two years ago felt like a death sentence, he says he soon found that, with the right medication, it was manageable to the point that he does not suffer symptoms. The fullback was the second highest try scorer for Wales, behind Shane Williams and captained for his country, and various club squads. Onlooker Sue Moore, 58, said: It was a very emotional moment - no one expected it. 'People in Wales will back him, the same as we did when he came out as gay. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. 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. Complete Encyclopedia Formula One (Motor Racing), Hill, Tim and Gareth Thomas., 9781445439624 | eBay 'I used to go to the cliffs overlooking the beach near our cottage in St Brides Major and just think about jumping off and ending it all.'. Gareth Thomas has hit out at Twitter after a video he shared of himself dancing with his husband was abruptly removed from his feed by the social media platform. Unathi Nkayi also confirmed that she and her ex-husband Thomas Msengana are in a good place, adding that he is her greatest love and that their love had evolved and grown in a way that did not . Mr Thomas said: 'Many people live in fear and shame of having HIV, but I refuse to be one. 'I had a fear people would judge me and treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge. By With 100 test match appearances he was the most capped Welsh rugby union player until he was overtaken by Stephen Jones in September 2011. 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. 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. The world's best movie director you've never heard of: How little-known film-maker has even toppled the A big Beckham birthday! Thomas was part of ITV's broadcast team for the World Cup in Japan in 2019. "Gareth is a hero in Wales where he is respected for what he achieved on the rugby field and off it and we will support him through this. For a list of support services available, please see the Where To Get Help box below. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the most advanced stage of an HIV infection, when the immune system can no longer fight infections. 'It was who I was, and I just couldn't ignore it any more. I wasn't expecting it at all. Thomas, though, also revealed he was forced to make the admission. You can't catch HIV from hugging me - Alfie, 'My stalker told my friends and family I had HIV', I hadn't been taught the reality of living with HIV, Ex-Wales rugby captain Thomas reveals he has HIV, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. Retired Welsh rugby star who retired as the Wales National team's third-time leader in match appearances. 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. The pair are seen canoodling in a bubble bath as they strip off for. In a stunning show of solidarity, the Welsh rugby icon and his husband Stephen are ensuring everyone in. However, nowadays it can be fully controlled by drugs which stop it developing into AIDS. His ex-wife was by his side when he came out as gay a decade ago, and he received an outpouring of support in the aftermath of completing the Ironman Wales challenge in a time of 12 hours, 18 minutes and 29 seconds. Lara Keay For Mailonline He spoke about the stigma still surrounding HIV after revealing he has it last September, and he is launching an anti-ignorance campaign. Very little is known about Stephen, who Thomas said has lived a life out of the public eye. 'I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. Ever since, Mr Thomas has championed equality and inclusion, including for all of those living with HIV, and been a respected spokesman for the LGBT community. The 45-year-old was cheered on by the crowds and his parents Yvonne and Barry. Gareth and Ian, 51, have finally decided to open up about their year-long love, celebrating going public with a magazine shoot. Gareth married his teenage sweetheart Jemma in 2002. 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? Former Wales rugby star Gareth Thomas hugged his husband as he finished a gruelling 140-mile Ironman triathlon just a day after revealing he is HIV positive. Thomas carried on playing rugby until 2011 when he suffered a broken arm. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope. Many people live in fear and shame of having HIV, but I refuse to be one of them now. Prince Andrew chuckles as he encounters female jogger on way to his weekly Windsor horse-riding trip. ', Moving: Gareth Thomas is pictured on This Morning telling Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby about his reasons for not revealing his diagnosis earlier. 'I've always been a huge fan - this won't change anything. 7. Gareth Thomas has revealed he married husband Stephen nearly three years ago, as he told the world of his HIV diagnosis. His older brothers are Richard and Steven. I left school at 16 with six GCSEs - and became a self-made millionaire. Rugby legend Gareth Thomas, 48, denies court claim that he infected ex-partner with HIV The retired rugby star was accused of 'concealing' his HIV-positive condition Carriers can be charged. The question about TrainwrecksTV net worth is one of the most enigmatic topic around him. In 2017 he made a TV documentary called Gareth Thomas v Homophobia challenging gay taunts used by soccer fans at Premiership matches. He is one of more than 2,000 amateur competitors who lined up at 7am for the swimming leg of the race. The popular television regular and former Wales captain, who. He admitted cheating on her multiple times, insisting he always practised safe sex when sleeping with men. , updated Gareth told The Mirror that Stephen does not have HIV. After becoming the first major British sports star to come out as HIV-positive yesterday, he began the gruelling Ironman Wales triathlon, which began with a two-mile swim in the early hours this morning. Gareth Thomas, the former rugby star hailed as a gay sporting pioneer, is being sued in the High Court for allegedly "deceptively" transmitting HIV to a former partner. Read about our approach to external linking. The overriding question that everybody said to me the first question everyone says to me when I tell them Im living with HIV is Are you going to be OK?, And its a really compassionate question to ask. HIV (human immuno-deficency virus) attacks the body's immune system. MORE : Gareth Thomas to work with Prince Harry to break HIV stigma, MORE : Gary Lineker leads support for Gareth Thomas after Celebrity Big Brother star reveals HIV diagnosis, Mikel Arteta explains why he didnt speak to William Saliba for first week of Arsenals pre-season tour, Ex-Chelsea and Manchester City star Wayne Bridge says even Arsenal fans know they wont win Premier League, Bruce Willis, 67, spotted for first time as he steps out for coffee in Santa Monica after sharing dementia diagnosis, Roy Keane expects Premier League teams to target Man Utd winger Antony: He will learn the hard way, Single mum worried sick after being fined for parking outside McDonalds, popular television regular and former Wales captain, Gareth Thomas to work with Prince Harry to break HIV stigma, Gary Lineker leads support for Gareth Thomas after Celebrity Big Brother star reveals HIV diagnosis, Do not sell or share my personal information. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. "Then I was thinking how long have I got left? I was distraught.. Test yourself with this Cockney Rhyming Slang quiz. I thought about driving off a cliff. But he came back today looking stronger than ever as he competed in the Ironman contest to cheers of "come on Alfie" and "Go Gareth". I was afraid of telling him, but I remember thinking, if you are who I think you are, this wont be an issue., And if it had been an issue, then it wouldnt have been the right match anyway.. Thomas and his husband, who married in front of close friends, including close friend 'H' from the bands Steps, met while working with trouble school children. When Mr Thomas revealed he was HIV positive, Prince William tweeted: 'Courageous as ever, legend on the pitch and legend off it.'. ', Mr Thomas announcing the move on Twitter today - he maintains innocence, Thomas played 100 times for Wales during his illustrious career before he retired from the game in 2011. Thomas made the decision to reveal that he has tested positive for the virus after being threatened with blackmail, and Stephen admitted seeing his husband in that position was 'heartbreaking. The Princess of Wales, who attended the parade with her husband on Wednesday morning, presented . 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. And Thomas who won 100 caps for Wales and came out as gay in December 2009 while he was still playing said he wants to reduce the stigma of living with HIV. Speaking at the Ironman Wales race today, spectator Adam Davies, 45, of Swansea, said: 'He was in sports mode - he looked pretty determined and engrossed in the race. 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 . "When she said those words I broke down. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. He ran across and hugged a man who was visibly crying and that set Gareth off too. Gareth was expected to cross the finishing line in Tenby at about 7pm. 'I'm speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.'. 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. Heiress, 42, poses with her son Phoenix and husband Carter Reum - after revealing she's frozen . Gareth Thomas came out to his wife without warning by telling her over the phone: "We need to talk." The Welsh rugby ace, who today has bravely revealed his HIV+ status, had wrestled with his. "Im speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.. Without medication people with HIV can develop AIDS. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Stephen Thomas, who lives with Gareth in Bridgend, is 56 years old and has a daughter, 23-year-old Anna. Will El Salvador's new mega-prison turn into a bloodbath? He said he would 'never forget' the moment he found out his diagnosis, which came after a 'routine sexual health test' in Cardiff. Thomas, wearing number 50, was given another huge cheer when his name was announced over the PA system at the event, which will take 17 hours for some competitors to complete.