Her barracks were raided in a search for proof of same-sex relationships.Fear of being prosecuted – at a time when homosexuals were banned from the Forces – forced her into silence.She was a 17-year-old soldier when she first realised she was gay after a female comrade kissed her.Years of self-harm included one episode at the World Championships. Bottling things up triggered breakdowns and left her suicidal.A scary brush with Covid made her realise she needed – and wanted – to show the world her “real self”.In a heart-rending exclusive interview, she reveals: The sporting superstar turned to the Sunday Mirror to come out at the age of 52 – in Pride month.īehind her beaming smile, Kelly has lived a “secret life” for decades.Īnd she admits: “There have been lots of dark times where I wished I could scream that I am gay – but I couldn’t.”
Olympics legend Dame Kelly Holmes today breaks a 34-year silence to tell the world: “I’m gay.”
