In the video posted to his Twitter page, he said: "I want to share my secret with you. 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. 'It's always sad when an ex-professional sportsman picks up an illness of any kind. He began his sporting career with his native Bridgend in 1994, staying there for three years. He hung up his boots in 20111 and came. The court papers state that when he found out he was positive for the virus, he was left "devastated". He also told that learning of his diagnosis has not been the last trauma he has had to undergo. ', 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.'. 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. Thomas, who retired from rugby in 2011, went public with his HIV status on the eve of the opening of the Rugby World Cup, which starts on Friday. Welsh rugby fan Sue Parry, 58, added: 'I didn't know until someone in the crowd said. I didnt want my brother, who didn't have the knowledge of it, to be afraid of me cuddling my niece.'. The world's best movie director you've never heard of: How little-known film-maker has even toppled the A big Beckham birthday! 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! Prince William tweeted his support, describing Thomas as'Courageous as ever legend on the pitch and legend off it. Test your knowledge by naming all 20 of these famous films, Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent For Mailonline, Do not sell or share my personal information. He also claimed Mr Thomas lied to him about 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. 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?". 'As the largest HIV charity in the UK said, there are no winners in HIV cases like these, and that is certainly the case. 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.'. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? Very little is known about Stephen, who Thomas said has lived a life out of the public eye. 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 honeytrap plot that left father-of-six dead: Moment two women lead victim into his flat to seduce him Why is Britain experiencing so many earthquakes? After marrying childhood sweetheart Jemma in 2002, the couple struggled with relationship problems. 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. 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. England rugby stars head to the beach to watch World Surfing Games in Japan and even pose with Olympic torch for Tokyo 2020, 'There's only pressure if you don't know what you're doing! He was an ITV rugby pundit during the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. 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. He admitted cheating on her multiple times, insisting he always practised safe sex when sleeping with men. The gesture, which challenged the belief that HIV or AIDS could be transmitted by touch, showed Diana's compassion for other people and sparked the beginning of her work with people affected by the disease. When someone else knows a secret as big as that they can determine your happiness or sadness every morning and use it as a weapon against you and your family.. 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. He was an ITV rugby pundit during the 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Thomas said he 'knew he was gay' at the age of around 16 or 17, but failed to accept it until years later. The former rugby international, 45, confirmed he is living with HIV in September, after secretly living with the virus for years. Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas hugs husband Stephen as he finishes second-leg of ironman race just hours after revealing secret HIV diagnosis - as Prince William and Kate Middleton praise him for. As one of the most-capped players in the history of Welsh rugby union, Thomas is a titan of the game. Gareth was led off to a nearby marquee to recover and later joined his proud parents Yvonne and Barry who are staying at a seafront hotel. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus - the immunodeficiency is the weakening of the immune system by the virus, If untreated it can lead to late-stage HIV or Aids, the name for a collection of illnesses caused by the virus, Modern medication reduces the viral load to undetectable levels, meaning someone can't pass on HIV and their health is protected, There were more than 106,000 people living with HIV in the UK in 2020. Not the evils threatening to tell you before I do. This was around the time a film was due to be made about Thomas's life. Without medication people with HIV can develop AIDS. Brooklyn celebrates turning 24 by heading out in Paris with wife Nicola Peltz and Nicola Peltz's fans question if 'feud' with mother-in-law Victoria Beckham is REALLY over as she posts Victoria Beckham leads the sweet birthday messages for son Brooklyn's 24th as the family finally reunite in Tragedies of Everest: The adventurers forever frozen in ice after losing their lives scaling the world's 'Why the last-minute delay?' I'm a vet, and here are five dog breeds most prone to cancer - including Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers. He is an engaging speaker on his experiences as both an international sports star and his personal story of coming out, as a member of the LGBT community and on living with HIV. 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. Experts weigh in as tremors hit Wales, Cornwall and the Are YOU eating the right colours? 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. 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". To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, over the course of this week, we will tell you the stories of brave survivors, relatives left behind, heroic Good Samaritans - and share tips from mental health experts. Gareth Thomas broke down as he hugged Stephen during the Ironman, Gareth Thomas celebrates completing the Ironman, Gareth Thomas: Carol Vorderman reacts to star's HIV diagnosis, Prince Harry backs rugby star Gareth Thomas over HIV revelation, William tribute to Gareth Thomas after rugby star has HIV. Its sick and Ive been through hell, Gareth, 45, told the Sunday Mirror. But City went closer with Wells' header and will be disappointed not to have edged a competitive match"I'm really happy for the fans gareth thomas husband,"Scott Arfield grabbed a double as a much-changed Rangers side eased into the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Queen of the South at IbroxTheir application has been very good, so I don't have complaintswhile Granovskaia - named as the best club director in European football earlier this season - is seen as a highly-respected figure within the sport. Brooklyn celebrates turning 24 by heading out in Paris with wife Nicola Peltz and Nicola Peltz's fans question if 'feud' with mother-in-law Victoria Beckham is REALLY over as she posts Victoria Beckham leads the sweet birthday messages for son Brooklyn's 24th as the family finally reunite in Tragedies of Everest: The adventurers forever frozen in ice after losing their lives scaling the world's 'Why the last-minute delay?' "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. In September 2019 he became the first major British sports star to come out as HIV-positive. 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. 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 . HIV stays in the body for life, but treatment can keep the virus under control and the immune system healthy. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. During his time in France he was found guilty of assault in 2005. Last November Thomas was beaten up in Cardiff by a 16-year-old boy in a sickening homophobic attack. He was the first British rugby international. 'It was who I was, and I just couldn't ignore it any more. 'It was who I was, and I just couldn't ignore it any more. And I just I felt like I had no control over my own life. The Celebrity Big Brother star, 45, stunned the sporting world yesterday by dramatically declaring he is living with the incurable virus. The year after he came out he was voted the most influential gay person in the UK and has since worked with multiple LGBT charities among others. Gareth Thomas (@gareththomas14) September 14, 2019. 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. Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas agrees 75,000 settlement in legal battle with ex-partner who accused him of infecting him with HIV after hiding his positive status Former Wales captain. What will the next pandemic be? "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.. Gareth was expected to cross the finishing line in Tenby at about 7pm. Gareth Thomas with his husband Stephen on Sunday Credit: Alamy Live News. I maintain my innocence in all the meritless allegations. ', Wales rugby legend Gareth Thomas is pictured in October 2010. AIDS is life threatening, but if HIV is caught early and is treated, it will not lead to AIDS. Thomas carried on playing rugby until 2011 when he suffered a broken arm. Thomas has confirmed that his husband does not have HIV. I was in such a state. This was around the time a film was due to be made about Thomas's life. Gareth Thomas almost broke down in tears as he thanked his husband and stepdaughter for their support following his decision to reveal his HIV diagnosis. All rights reserved. Stephen, 56, added that he was full of pride for Gareth, who announced his HIV status shortly before participating in a gruelling Ironman Triathlon. 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. I'm speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.'. Prince Harry heaped praise on the rugby hero for his bravery. 'This is not an admission of liability or guilt. Im not afraid anymore - I did a freaking Ironman yesterday.'. We need to break the stigma once and for all. 'I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. When told in a 'matter of fact way' that he was HIV-positive, Thomas said he broke down. He told The Sunday Mirror: Ive been living with this secret for years. This is a subject that because of the 80s scenarios people dont talk about it because thats the only information they have. A year later he appeared on Dancing On Ice, when he was partnered with professional skater Robin Johnstone. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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. ', Moving: Gareth Thomas is pictured on This Morning telling Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby about his reasons for not revealing his diagnosis earlier. 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. You can unsubscribe at any time. The star later switched to rugby league and led Wales to victory over France in the European. 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. I was being blackmailed and in my mind I thought you only get blackmailed for something really bad, which compounded the feeling of shame. The former fullback entered the sea at Tenby's north Beach at 7am along with 2,300 other competitors. He explained it was no different to taking daily diabetes medication every day. and "Restorative justice was at the request of Mr Thomas and accepted by the teenager who admitted assault and was apologetic for his actions.". If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123, or visit Minds website. That shows that discrimination, that stigma, is still around, but medicine and science has moved so far. 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. I've felt shame and keeping such a big secret has taken its toll. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Welcome to the Coronation! Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW.