Dame Kelly Holmes has been hailed as an 'inspiration' after her ITV documentary Being Me moved viewers to tears on Sunday night.
The Olympic champion, 52, revealed that she had suffered decades of mental and emotional torture by hiding her sexuality before coming out as gay at the start of the programme.
The double gold medal winners said that she had lived in fear of her true self being exposed when she joined the British Army at the age of 18 because the ban on LGBTQ + soldiers was only lifted in 2000.
An emotional Dame Kelly started the documentary by saying: "I think there comes a time in life when you need to live your life and be who you want to be. Mine's now. I want people to know, directly from me, that I'm a gay woman but I've been unable to live my life authentically.
"I feel like I've been trapped. It just weighs down on you every day. It puts a barrier up. It puts this block, a wall, and then people don't get to know the real you and I don't want to live my life like that anymore. I'm just trying to free myself."
She was applauded on social media as the ITV audience watched her tell her story. Among those commenting on Twitter, one viewer wrote: "Well done Kelly for coming out and a brilliant documentary. Of course, it is totally understandable why you were scared to come out in the Army.
"Hope you can feel the love from the LGBTQ+ family."
Another said: "Just be you, it’s time for you to live your own life now as you want to live it, don’t worry about what other people think, nobody will be judging you. Well done amazing."
And a third added: "It's so sad when people are unable to live their true life. I hope you receive nothing but positive responses to the documentary. It's not for others to control your life. Good luck x."
The one-off documentary introduced those closest to the runner, and saw her discuss personal topics that she has never publicly spoken about before. She admitted that she had 'lost the plot' when her mother Pam Norman died in 2017, adding that her mum would be so proud that she is finally speaking out on her sexuality.
Dame Kelly had come out to her mother and said that, "she wanted me to always be me and I just couldn't."
The athlete admitted that she had been 'fully aware' of rumours about her sexual orientation but is now happy to be coming out on her own terms.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: "There have been lots of dark times where I wished I could scream that I am gay – but I couldn't.
"I needed to do this now, for me. It was my decision. I'm nervous about saying it. I feel like I'm going to explode with excitement. Sometimes I cry with relief. The moment this comes out, I'm essentially getting rid of that fear."
Dame Kelly confirmed that she has a partner but didn't want to give any further details, admitting it is the first time she hasn't introduced someone as a 'friend or PA'.
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