Rugby League player Keegan Hirst comes out as gay

Batley Bulldogs prop Keegan Hirst has become the first professional Rugby League player to come out as gay.

The 27-year-old, who captains the Bulldogs, has admitted that he has battled thoughts about his sexuality for a long period of time before becoming happy to reveal that he is gay.

He told The Mirror: "At first I couldn't even say 'I'm gay' in my head, let alone out loud. Now I feel like I'm letting out a long breath that I've held in for a long time.

"I had a wife and kids. I've been a builder, doorman, worked in factories – I play rugby. I tick every macho box. How could I be gay? I'm from Batley for goodness sake. No one is gay in Batley.

"The only time I felt free of the torment was when I stepped on the rugby pitch. Now I feel free."

Rugby union star Gareth Thomas was the only previous player in the sport to announce that he was gay back in 2009.