Gareth Thomas reveals on US TV how he 'prayed to be straight'

FORMER Wales rugby captain Gareth Thomas appeared on top American programme The Ellen DeGeneres Show and talked about the struggle he faced before publicly announcing he was gay, including an admission that he used to visit church to "pray to be straight".

Thomas, who switched to rugby league to play for Crusaders, spoke to chat show host DeGeneres and a US television audience of millions about his coming out experience in 2009.

The 35-year-old spoke frankly about his marriage in August 2001, and how he told his wife Jemma first he was gay, before bringing the subject up with his parents. He also admitted he tried to conceal his sexuality from his Wales team-mates.

"I became the master of playing the straight bat. I would go to bars with the boys, I would always be the one to start a fight, to be outrageous and drink the most," said Thomas.

"I remember I used to go to the church I was due to get married in and I would sit there in the graveyard and look up to the steeple, clench my hands and close my eyes as tight as I could and pray to be straight."

Thomas, born in Sarn, near Bridgend, said when he first told his parents there was silence, but weeks later he returned to his parental home to find three champagne glasses. He said: "My father, who is a tough guy and doesn't say much, said: 'Son I just want to sit here and toast to the rest of your life.' I knew then that was an acceptance from my family."