Dame Kelly Holmes, 52, comes out as gay as she says “I’m finally free” after living a “secret life” for decades
Dame Kelly Holmes has come out as gay.
The Olympic runner, 52, has first spoken out about her sexuality as she explained she “finally feels free” after years of living a “secret” life.
The athletics star admitted she was “fully aware” of the rumors surrounding her sexual orientation but is now happy to come out “on her own terms”.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: “There were a lot of dark times when I wished I could shout out that I’m gay – but I couldn’t.”
Speaking of which: Dame Kelly Holmes has publicly come out as gay (pictured this year)
“I had to do this for myself now. It was my choice. I’m nervous to say it. I feel like I’m about to explode with excitement. Sometimes I cry with relief. The moment this comes out, I essentially get rid of that fear.
Dame Kelly confirmed she has a partner but declined to give further details, admitting it’s the first time she hasn’t introduced someone as “boyfriend or PA”.
She explained how her family and close friends had known she was gay for years, but she worried about getting in trouble for breaking retroactive rules in the armed forces.
‘Free at last’! The Olympic runner, 52, has first spoken out about her sexuality when she explained she “finally feels free” after years of living a “secret” life (pictured in 2004).
Back then, the armed forces had a ban on LGBT soldiers that wasn’t lifted until 2000.
Kelly, who decided to come out during Pride month, shared how she first realized she was gay when she was 17 when she kissed another female soldier.
Touching on her past relationships with women, she said: “No disrespect to them, but the relationships were just a small part of my life.
“You haven’t been in this fearful world with me in 34 years.”
Smiling again: The athletics star admitted she was “fully aware” of the rumors about her sexual orientation but is now happy to come out “on her own terms”.
The TV personality admitted she had kept her true identity hidden for years and had struggled with episodes of self-harm.
Kelly confessed that even as she celebrated her gold medals in the 800 and 1,500 meters at the Athens Olympics, she feared being outed as her fame reached new heights.
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