Jonny Wilkinson England's World Cup Hero winning Fly-half has shocked the Rugby world by admitting that he is a heterosexual.
In a statement issued by his manager Ben Dover-Backwards,Wilkinson said "Yes it's true Ive always been straight even while I was at school."
"I had several girlfriends in my teens
and eventually married my lovely girlfriend Raymond"
He says he decided to talk openly about his sexuality because he could no longer live a lie.
He says that he hopes the revelation that he is heterosexual will help break down stereotypes within sport and indeed other areas in the public eye.
"I dont think straight people should be afraid to discuss their sexuality in public, it's something they should be proud of" he said.
Wilkinson's announcement comes hard on the heels of former England and Yorkshire cricketing great Geoffrey Boycott who also came out of the closet revealing that he has had a string of female lovers.
While Wilkinson's revelation was the first of its type by an international rugby union player, he says that there are straight players in other team sports, including the Barclays Premier League, who have yet to go public.
"In the Premiership there are certainly some that I know who haven't [come out]," he said. "In men's team sports, there are a number of people.
Jonny Wilkinson is 57.
