Saturday 6 August 2022 05:28 PM Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas DENIES infecting ex-partner with HIV trends now

Former Welsh rugby international Gareth Thomas has denied allegations made in the High Court that he infected a former partner with HIV, Mail Plus has revealed.

The ex-Wales and Lions rugby captain was accused of ‘concealing’ his HIV-positive condition and failing ‘to take reasonable care’ to ensure he did not transmit the virus to 59-year-old Ian Baum.

HIV carriers can be charged with grievous bodily harm if they fail to declare their status to potential sexual partners and pass on the infection.

It comes three years after the rugby legend Gareth Thomas revealed he has been living with HIV 'for years', at times leaving him contemplating suicide. 

The Wales and British Lions star, who came out as gay in 2009, said he was revealing his diagnosis because he wanted to 'make a difference' by helping end the stigma surrounding the virus.

He said he had kept his HIV status secret because he feared people would 'treat me like a leper'.

Thomas, 45, is the first major British sports star to admit to being HIV-positive. 

He also told how he was threatened with blackmail, forcing him to tell his family of his HIV status before they heard it from someone else.

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He said: 'I've been living with this secret for years. I've felt shame and keeping such a big secret has taken its toll. 

'I had a fear people would judge me and treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge. 

'I was in a dark place, feeling suicidal. I thought about driving off a cliff. Many people live in fear and shame of having HIV, but I refuse to be one of them now.

'We need to break the stigma once and for all. I'm speaking out because I want to help others and make a difference.'

HIV (human immuno-deficency virus) attacks the body's immune system. Those diagnosed with the virus once had a bleak prospect. 

However, nowadays it can be fully controlled by drugs which stop it developing into AIDS.

The rugby star compared his condition to 'living with diabetes or high blood pressure' and appears to be as fit as ever. 

Thomas, who retired from rugby in 2011, went public with his HIV status on the eve of the opening of the Rugby World Cup, which starts on Friday. He will appear on ITV as a pundit.

He said he would 'never forget' the moment he found out his diagnosis, which came after a 'routine sexual health test' in Cardiff.

When told in a 'matter of fact way' that he was HIV-positive, Thomas said he broke down. 'I immediately thought I was going to die,' he said. 

'I felt like an express train was hitting me at 300mph. I wasn't expecting it at all. Then I was thinking, 'How long have I got left?' 

Thomas did not say when the diagnosis took place or whether he became infected while still playing professional rugby, but revealed that he had to tell a number of former sexual partners as a matter of 'duty' so they could get themselves tested too.

He split with his wife Jemma in 2009 upon revealing his true sexuality, seven years after they married. 

Last night Thomas also revealed that he is now remarried, to a man called Stephen, with whom he has been for four-and-a-half years. Stephen does not have HIV.

They live together in Bridgend, with Stephen's daughter Anna. 

The couple, who married in front of close friends, including Thomas's close friend 'H' from the bands Steps, met while working with trouble school children.

Thomas said: 'Stephen is from the Valley and isn't used to media attention or the idea of giving interviews, but he loves me and supports me 100 per cent in what I'm doing.' 

He also told that learning of his diagnosis has not been the last trauma he has had to undergo. 

He revealed that afterwards he was 'threatened by people who said they would give away my secret', who he feared would 'use it as a weapon' against him and his family. 

He had wanted to keep the information from his parents, Yvonne, 70, and Barry 69, fearing it would 'hurt' them. After the blackmail threat he decided he had no option but to tell them. In the event he discovered he 'underestimated' them.

'My parents and loved ones are fine with it,' he said.

Thomas, who is affectionately known by his nickname 'Alfie', 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 was taking.

He said: 'I always say now, 'I'm living with HIV. I know I have HIV, but HIV doesn't have me. It doesn't control me.'  

Commenting on Thomas going public, a close friend who also played for Wales, said: 'Everyone is shocked and worried for Gareth - but the important thing is he's fit and well.

'He is a remarkable individual who is mentally equipped to deal with this illness.

'Everyone supported him when he came out as gay and that support will be even stronger now.'

He added: 'Gareth is inspirational, he's changed the lives of so many people.

'I fully expect him to become a leading light for HIV and Aids charities, that's the sort of bloke he is.'

Thomas came out at the end of his rugby career and said at the time: 'I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player, I am a rugby player first and foremost I'm a man.'

Following his diagnosis revelation, there has been a huge outpouring of support. 

HIV and sexual health charity Terrance 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 Wales challenge. 

'He wants everyone to know that HIV shouldn't stop you doing anything you want to. We're very proud to call him a friend.'

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