WWE chief executive Pat Patterson has come out as gay after keeping it a close secret for the past 50 years.
The 73-year-old, real name Pierre Clermont, has become hugely respected down the years having been crowned the corporation's first Intercontinental champion, before being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Patterson has now taken the decision to go public regarding his sexuality during reality show Legends' House.
"From where I come from, I had nothing, no family, no money, and I ended up [working] with Vince [McMahon] - to me, that was the biggest achievement of my life," he said. "But there's more to that. Sitting here tonight, I'm going to say something I would never want to say.
"For once in my life I'm going to be me. I survived all this being gay. I lived with that for 50-some years. I had a friend with me for 40 years, and I lost him because he had a heart attack, and I ended up alone. But I survived.
"It's tough guys, it was tough. I gave my life to the business, I don't regret nothing, and for the rest of my life I want to be happy."
Patterson began his wrestling career in the 1960s.
Daniel Lewis
