Gareth Thomas left 'feeling suicidal' after HIV diagnosis amid fear of 'judgment'
star said that he had ‘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,’ he said. ‘And having a strong support system and the personal strength and experience of overcoming those emotions got me through it.’Gareth took to Twitter to share his diagnosis with fans, telling them: ‘I want to share my secret with you. Why? Because it is mine to tell you.‘Not the evils that make my life hell by threatening to tell you before I do. And because I believe in you and I trust you.
Gareth was forced to consult legal representatives and speak out about his diagnosis after a tabloid newspaper found out about his HIV status and sent reporters to his parents’ home.‘When I was diagnosed I decided straight away not to tell my family. I wanted to protect them and I didn’t want to put them through the pain,’ he said.
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