Dame Kelly Holmes, 52, comes out as gay as she says ‘I’m finally free’ after living a ‘secret life’ for a long time
Dame Kelly Holmes has publicly come out as gay.
The Olympic runner, 52, has spoken about her sexuality for the primary time as she declared she ‘finally feels free’ after years of living a ‘secret’ life.
The athletics star admitted she was ‘fully aware’ of rumours about her sexual orientation but is now joyful to be coming out ‘on her own terms’.
Talking to the Mirror, she said: ‘There have been a number of dark times where I wanted I could scream that I’m gay – but I could not.’
Speaking out: Dame Kelly Holmes has publicly come out as gay
‘I needed to do that now, for me. It was my decision. I’m nervous about saying it. I feel like I will explode with excitement. Sometimes I cry with relief. The moment this comes out, I’m essentially eliminating that fear.’
Dame Kelly confirmed she has a partner but didn’t want to offer any further details, admitting it’s the primary time she hasn’t introduced someone as a ‘friend or PA.’
She explained how her family and shut friends have known for years she is gay but she anxious about being in trouble for breaching retrospective rules within the Forces.
Touching on her previous relationships with women, she said: ‘No disrespect to them, however the relationships have only been a small a part of my life.
‘They have not been on this fearful world with me for 34 years.
More to follow.
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