It almost felt as if someone I loved had suddenly died, but he was still standing there in front of me. Stephen is 56 years old and has a daughter, Anna, who is 23. Without medication people with HIV can develop AIDS. MOST infected people experience a short illness, similar to flu, two to six weeksafter coming into contact with HIV. Despite the emotional revelation last night, hesaid he is 'fitter now than when he played rugby' and before he was diagnosed with the condition. Thomas has reduced his illness to an undetectable state by taking a daily tablet, meaning he cannot pass HIV on to others. He also told that learning of his diagnosis has not been the last trauma he has had to undergo. Gareth Thomas has thanked his husband Stephen for being his "beacon of light". Thomas was part of ITV's broadcast team for the World Cup in Japan in 2019. Former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain Gareth Thomas has been accused of "deceptively" transmitting HIV to a previous partner, according to High Court legal papers. "Hes a remarkable individual who is mentally equipped to deal with this. 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. I just thought, how can somebody put him in that position? Ian Baum has alleged Mr Thomas hid his HIV status, "failing to take reasonable care" to ensure he did not pass it on. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The former rugby player has kept his marriage out of the limelight, but revealed that the pair met while helping children who were struggling in school. Gareth takes one tablet a day, and it means he will not infect a sexual partner with HIV. REVEALED: Huge sonic boom felt by thousands across the country was caused by RAF Typhoon jets scrambling to Do YOU know your Adam and Eve from your Ruby Murray? The former rugby player has kept his marriage out of the limelight,. Since going public with the news on Sunday, he has been praised for his bravery by admirers including Princes William and Harry. Gareth Thomas jokes he is "punching" as he celebrates three-year wedding anniversary, Gareth discussed the misconceptions surrounding HIV, Gareth and Ian are celebrating three years of marriage, Gareth takes daily medication and it ensures his HIV is not contagious. The trio live together in Bridgend,. After missing two months, he announced he would be retiring from the sport in October that year. 'I'm sad for him but you've got to take your hat off to Gareth. He said he hoped his public acknowledgement of his sexuality would help other young gay sportsmen seek support from charities and help groups. It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. Thomas, who came out as gay in 2009, is married to Stephen. 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. In the documents, he said the defendant caused him "serious physical and psychological injury". Gareth Thomas in tears as he thanks husband for support - Metro He described him as a 'role model challenging stigma and prejudice', 'offering hope and resolve to others'. When told in a 'matter of fact way' that he was HIV-positive, Thomas said he broke down. He said: 'I always say now, 'I'm living with HIV. Its sick and Ive been through hell, Gareth, 45, told the Sunday Mirror. ', He added: 'I was trying to support him and hold him, but it was the most horrible time. 12:35 GMT 17 Sep 2019. In November 2018 he was assaulted in Cardiff city centre in a homophobic attack. In January 2012 he went into the Celebrity Big Brother House, finishing in the final three. The 45-year-old was cheered on by the crowds as he managed to finish the mammoth Ironman Wales challenge in 12 hours, 18 minutes and 29 seconds, coming 413th out of 2,039 participants. Brave Gareth left the track and leaned over a. I maintain my innocence in all the meritless allegations. 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. 2023 BBC. But, this is meant the nicest way possible, its a really uneducated question., Gareth Thomas: HIV and Me will be shown on BBC One Wales on Wednesday 18 September 9pm, Chelsea confirm Reece James will miss Leeds clash due to hamstring injury, Narco-tourists in luxury cars comb French beaches after cocaine washes ashore, House with its own train and private working railway on sale for 500,000, Cher, 76, shares sweet update about boyfriend Alexander Edwards, 37, after solo appearance, Frenkie de Jong happy at Barcelona despite Manchester United plotting another summer move, Do not sell or share my personal information. The virus is now 'undetectable' in his system and cannot be passed on providing he continues to take his medication every day. Gareth Thomas baffled as Twitter suspends his account after - mirror The 45-year-old former Welsh rugby captain bravely told the world that he is living with HIV last week, after an . She told me in a quite matter of fact way I had tested HIV positive. ', 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. Unathi Nkayi tells Gareth Cliff why she is suing Kaya FM 'I fully expect him to become a leading light for HIV and Aids charities, that's the sort of bloke he is. 16:23 GMT 15 Sep 2019 "Im speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. 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. 'Everyone supported him when he came out as gay and that support will be even stronger now.'. 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 was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. 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. I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. In January 2012 he went into the Celebrity Big Brother House, finishing in the final three. 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.. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? 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. Gareth married his teenage sweetheart Jemma in 2002. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. He began his sporting career with his native Bridgend in 1994, staying there for three years. Fresh from completing an Ironman Triathlon, he told Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby that he didn't want loved ones to be scared of catching the illness. In court papers, Mr Baum claimed he had a relationship with him between 2013 and 2016 and that he was HIV negative when the relationship began. When will the Beast from the East be at YOUR door? RUGBY legend Gareth Thomas broke down in tears hugging his husband during an Ironman race today just hours after revealing he is HIV positive. 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. 'I only found out about his illness when I arrived here at six this morning. He was the first British rugby international. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. They split up after he told her he was gay - and he went public about his sexuality 10 years ago. Thomas made the announcement yesterday -saying sick blackmailers had started using his diagnosis as a weapon. Interactive map reveals when you may see SNOW. Gareth Thomas came close to suicide after confessing to his wife that he was gay. 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. Gareth Thomas - Chartwell Speakers Bureau Two years later he was banned from the game for four week on misconduct charges. He went on: 'Sometimes I felt so alone and depressed. Welsh rugby fan Sue Parry, 58, added: 'I didn't know until someone in the crowd said. By Samantha Masters. Gareth Thomas hugs husband after finishing Ironman Wales to 'break the Only once the immune system is already severely damaged will the person show new symptoms. "He was trying to comfort and reassure me and telling me to go and speak to the doctors, but Id already made my mind up that my life was over.". He was an ITV rugby pundit during the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. Rugby star Gareth Thomas sued after ex-partner gets HIV Gareth Thomas is a former Welsh rugby player. Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas appeared on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday where he spoke to hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust said in a statement: 'Gareth Thomas has spoken publicly about living with HIV for the very first time ahead of taking on the Ironman Waleschallenge. Will El Salvador's new mega-prison turn into a bloodbath? Copyright 2021-2022 Pwapgh.com. 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? Emotional Gareth Thomas hugs husband during race hours after - mirror 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. We need to break the stigma. His father Barry, 69, is a retired postal worker, and his mother Yvonne, 70, a former hospital secretary. Onlooker Sue Moore, 58, said: It was a very emotional moment - no one expected it. Thomas said there was so much 'inaccurate information' about HIV that he wanted to counter, stressing, for instance, that there was 'no possibility' of him passing it on to others because of the drugs he is taking. In November 2018 he was assaulted in Cardiff city centre in a homophobic attack. He is one of more than 2,000 amateur competitors who lined up at 7am for the swimming leg of the race. His husband Stephen and Stephen's daughter Anna, 23, who all live together in Bridgend joined thousands on the sidelines of the marathon section of Ironman. He said: 'I've been living with this secret for years. Gareth Thomas denies court claim that he infected ex-partner with HIV