Former rugby international Gareth Thomas has signed up to star on Celebrity Big Brother.
The popular sportsman, who is a close friend of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and attended their wedding, will appear on the Channel 5 reality show which starts tonight.
He will join such luminaries as Natasha Giggs, whose only claim to fame is having an affair with her footballer star brother-in-law Ryan Giggs. Ironically, Mr Thomas is friends with Manchester United winger Giggs.
From team mate to house mate: Retired rugby player Gareth Thomas has signed up as one of the contestants for this year's Celebrity Big Brother which starts tonight on Channel 5
Mr Thomas, 37, who had been married to his teenage sweetheart Jemma, announced he was gay in December 2009,
breaking one of the major taboos in sport.He told the Daily Mail: ‘Just because you are gay, it doesn't mean you fancy every man who walks the planet.
‘I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man.’
Living a lie: Gareth Thomas and his ex-wife Jemma who he married in 2001 but divorced in 2007
He said he had been through ‘all sorts of emotions’ over the issue, since first knowing he was gay in his late teens.
Admitting that rugby is ‘the toughest, most macho of male sports, and with that comes an image,’ Mr Thomas revealed he had even thought about committing suicide.
However, he made the decision to come out as he felt attitudes had changed in sport, saying: ‘I just happen to be gay. It's irrelevant.
‘What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby.
Hollywood beckons: Gareth with actor Mickey Rourke who is planning to play the rugby player in a story about his life
‘It's pretty tough for me being the only international rugby player prepared to break the taboo.
‘Statistically I can't be the only one, but I'm not aware of any other gay player still in the game.
‘I'd love for it, in 10 years' time, not to even be an issue in sport, and for people to say: 'So what?'’
Mr Thomas retired from international duty after captaining Wales' exit from the 2007 World Cup.
But he admitted it was on Wales duty at an earlier time when he first broke the news to former Wales caretaker coach Scott Johnson over his sexuality and the break-up of his marriage to his wife Jemma.
Glamour girls: Natasha Giggs and Nicola McLean are believed to be going into the house
‘My life seemed to be falling apart,’ he added. ‘Jemma and I were splitting up, and I was scared of the future and being single again as a gay man.
But Mr Thomas said one of his lowest points was cheating on Jemma, which drove him to the edge, admitting: ‘Sometimes I felt so alone and depressed.’
‘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’.
Soap stars: Natalie Cassidy and Denise Welch are also rumoured to be among this year's line-up
Bad boys: Actor Michael Madsen and X Factor reject Frankie Cocozza will no doubt cause a stir in the house
However, Hollywood now beckons for the athlete as Mickey Rourke is set to play him in an upcoming film about his life.
The rest of the line-up for Celebrity Big Brother includes ex-EastEnder Natalie Cassidy and cocaine-shame X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza.
Former glamour model Nicola McLean, Hollywood actor Michael Madsen, TV presenter Denise Welch are also on the line-up.
Luxury: A glimpse inside this year's house complete with comfy sofas and animal skins
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2082655/Celebrity-Big-Brother-2012-line-Welsh-rugby-star-Gareth-Thomas-latest-housemate.html#ixzz1ibPKPS4s
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