Gareth Thomas to join Big Brother UK series

Gareth Thomas, retired gay rugby icon, will appear on the Channel 5 reality show Big Brother which starts tonight.

Mr Thomas, 37, who had been married to his teenage sweetheart Jemma, announced he was gay in December 2009, breaking one of the major taboos in sport.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘Just because you are gay, it doesn't mean you fancy every man who walks the planet.

‘I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man.’