Nigel Owens: 'I couldn't accept I was gay'
The biggest challenge I've ever come across in my life was accepting who I was
After revealing his struggles with his sexuality, international rugby referee Nigel Owens joined Lorraine to tell his story in a bid to inspire others to be true to themselves.
The Welshman and revered rugby referee, who grew up in a small and close-knit village in Carmarthenshire, was 19 when he started to realise he was different and attracted to men. He hadn't met a gay man before and his feelings were totally alien to him, so much so that he desperately tried to suppress them.
''I was fighting against becoming someone I didn't want to become,'' Nigel told Lorraine. ''I didn't want to be a gay person.''
Alongside his battle with depression and anxiety, Owens developed bulimia and became hooked on steroids as he struggled to accept that he was gay. In a shocking bid to put an end to his sexual desires towards men and subsequently all his problems, Owens asked a doctor to chemically castrate him.
I didn't want to be a gay person
Aged 24, Owens attempted to take his own life due to his self loathing over his sexual orientation - a regret he says will plague him for the rest of his life.
His parents' devastated reaction made him realise that he needed to 'grow up', come to terms with his sexuality and accept who he was.
''That was the biggest challenge of my life - accepting who I was,'' Nigel said.
I will owe more to rugby than rugby will ever owe to me
Owens eventually came out to his parents, aged 34, before coming out publicly in 2007 shortly before the Rugby World Cup.
Finally at peace with who he is, Nigel has become an inspirational voice for the LGBT community in sport. He says the love, warmth and acceptance he has received from the rugby community since coming out has been overwhelming.
''I had huge support from the rugby world. I wouldn't be who I am today if I wasn't very fortunate to be in the great sport that is rugby,'' Nigel said. ''I will owe more to rugby than rugby will ever owe to me.''
Watch the full interview above.