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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tamara Davison

Dame Kelly Holmes admits she’s still ‘processing’ after revealing she’s gay

Dame Kelly Holmes admitted she was “still processing” but feeling “positive” after recently coming out as gay.

The 52-year-old athlete spoke publicly about her sexuality for the first time earlier this month, however, is taking a bit of time to adjust.

Reflecting on her experiences since coming out as gay, Holmes explained on BBC Morning Live that the response to her news has been “incredible” but she was still processing everything that’s happened.

“I have to say it’s been incredible, the warmth, the feedback of people coming forward to watch my documentary and you know, it’s kind of strange because I feel like I’m essentially still in a bit of a bubble and a little bit in limbo, you can’t just change,” Holmes told Gethin Jones and Kimberley Walsh.

“I’m still the same person, don’t get me wrong, but with the announcement, to suddenly to live the new norm is very different.”

The double Olympic champion said she feared repercussions from the army (Andrew Matthews/PA Images) (PA Archive)

Holmes later added: “It’s just one step at a time, I’m processing everything that’s come out in the last two weeks and I’m sure though, on a real positive note, that my future will be a lot brighter.”

Holmes spoke on the BBC show alongside Ellie Simmonds after the duo were confirmed as team captains for this year’s Sport Relief All-Star Games.

Earlier this month, Holmes told the Sunday Mirror that she was gay and admitted she had been living a “secret life” for years.

Dame Kelly Homes at the Heartbeat of Home Press Night (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett)

The Olympian went on to reveal she had known about her sexuality since she was a teenager but she concealed her true self when she was a soldier in the Women’s Royal Army Corps.

Later, Holmes joined Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby for an emotional discussion on This Morning where she discussed the difficulties she had faced as well as finding the courage to speak about her sexuality.

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