The Welsh rugby legend had previously sobbed as he bravely appeared on This Morning to discuss why he didn't go public about living with the virus two years ago. All rights reserved. Keen to get away from the neighbours? Thomas is the youngest of three sons. "The defendant pleaded with him to keep his HIV status secret, the claimant agreed and the relationship continued," it added. Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas appeared on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday where he spoke to hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. He said he would 'never forget' the moment he found out his diagnosis, which came after a 'routine sexual health test' in Cardiff. Thomas appeared as a contestant on TV's Celebrity Big Brother where he reached the final three. 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.. 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. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others. "And having a strong support system and the personal strength and experience of overcoming those emotions got me through it. While he was still playing in France he suffered a major health scare after a neck injury. "I hope people lining the route cheer extra loudly when he passes them on the road.". Speaking ahead of a documentary for BBC Wales, he added that he had thought his life would be over after finding out the diagnosis. 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. 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. 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! Many people live in fear and shame of having HIV, but I refuse to be one of them now. Gareth and Ian, 51, have finally decided to open up about their year-long love, celebrating going public with a magazine shoot. Will El Salvador's new mega-prison turn into a bloodbath? It makes no difference to the measure of the man.'. 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. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Gareth Thomas, best known for being a Rugby Player, was born in Bridgend, Wales, UK on Thursday, July 25, 1974. Sergeant Gareth Lucas, his father, said Thomas self-taught himself backflips on YouTube Credit: . Gareth Thomas is showing it's not all doom and gloom amid the coronavirus lockdown. It almost felt as if someone I loved had suddenly died, but he was still standing there in front of me. Express. With 100 appearances he was the most capped Welsh Rugby Union player ever until 2011 when the accolade was taken by Stephen Jones. MOST infected people experience a short illness, similar to flu, two to six weeksafter coming into contact with HIV. 'I fully expect him to become a leading light for HIV and Aids charities, that's the sort of bloke he is. I thought about driving off a cliff. I left school at 16 with six GCSEs - and became a self-made millionaire. I was being blackmailed and in my mind I thought you only get blackmailed for something really bad, which compounded the feeling of shame. 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.'. Rugby legend Gareth Thomas has completed a 140-mile triathlon just a day after revealing he is living with HIV. 'He wants everyone to know that HIV shouldn't stop you doing anything you want to. Thomas, though, also revealed he was forced to make the admission. 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. It is alleged he found out Mr Thomas had HIV when he saw a tablet marked GSK1. But he loves me and supports me 100 per cent in what I'm doing.. The 46-year-old Welsh rugby. The sports legend told how he went through hell as he tried to keep his health battle hidden from his friends and family. 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. When people find out they look at you differently, treat you differently or they act differently,' he said. Mr Thomas had been sued for150,000 in damages by Mr Baum over claims he hadfailed to take 'reasonable care' before allegedly passing the virus onto him. Heiress, 42, poses with her son Phoenix and husband Carter Reum - after revealing she's frozen . "People will rally around him in the same way they did when he talked about his sexuality 10 years ago. A guy from Bridgend without a single GCSE to his name for one moment changed the world,' he said. 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. In 2017 he made a TV documentary called Gareth Thomas v Homophobia challenging gay taunts used by soccer fans at Premiership matches. Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, is married to Stephen. These symptoms, which 80 per cent of infected people experience, are a sign that theirbody is trying to fight HIV. The former Wales captain has had an emotional 24 hours after he revealed to . A year later he appeared on Dancing On Ice, when he was partnered with professional skater Robin Johnstone. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus which attacks the immune systemthe body's defence against diseases. 'I felt like an express train was hitting me at 300mph. 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'. 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 45-year-old, who is affectionately known as Alfie, also revealed he has remarried and his husband, a man known only as Stephen, 56, does not have the virus. Then I was thinking, 'How long have I got left?'. Despite cracking his head in the early rounds, Louganis emerged from the Games as a double-gold medalist and subsequently revealed his HIV. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles. 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. Thomas had to learn how to do the front crawl to take part in the Ironman. Magazine, Do not sell or share my personal information. Piers and Susanna wished him a happy three-year anniversary. I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. They split in 2007 with the divorce finalised in 2009. "By doing the Ironman contest he is showing everyone that hes still an incredible athlete. 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'm sad for him but you've got to take your hat off to Gareth. 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. Thomas said he 'knew he was gay' at the age of around 16 or 17, but failed to accept it until years later. I thought about driving off a cliff. His father Barry, 69, is a retired postal worker, and his mother Yvonne, 70, a former hospital secretary. Gareth Thomas CBE is a widely celebrated international rugby star, former Welsh Rugby Captain and former British and Irish Lions Captain. As he drove to Cardiff Royal Infirmary, he called a friend in tears: "I told him, Ive got HIV Im going to die. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also tweeted his support, saying the rugby legend has 'shown enormous strength' in sharing his HIV status. Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas has spoken of the support he receives from husband Stephen after revealing he is living with HIV. I thought I could suppress it, keep it locked away in some dark corner of myself, but I couldn't. He split with his wife Jemma in 2009 upon revealing his true sexuality, seven years after they married. RUGBY legend Gareth Thomas broke down in tears hugging his husband during an Ironman race today just hours after revealing he is HIV positive. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW. Lara Keay For Mailonline He tweeted today: 'I'm making this announcement first before the tabloids take my truth. She told me in a quite matter of fact way I had tested HIV positive. By Samantha Masters. Thomas, 48, has been . 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. When Mr Thomas revealed he was HIV positive, Prince William tweeted: 'Courageous as ever, legend on the pitch and legend off it.'. 'You wake up one morning thinking: 'I can handle it. 'This is not an admission of liability or guilt. He aimed to challenge preconceptions that people living with HIV are weak with his show of strength. He completed a two-mile swim in Tenby, West Wales, in just under 90 minutes before clambering on to his bike for a 112 mile cycle. At club level Thomas played for Bridgend, Cardiff RFC, Celtic Warriors, Cardiff Blues and French side Toulouse. "I had a fear people would judge me and treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge. "I dont blame people for thinking it, because I did too, but we need to change that by talking about it and educating people.". 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. While he was still playing in France he suffered a major health scare after a neck injury. I thought I could suppress it, keep it locked away in some dark corner of myself, but I couldn't. 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..