There is an energy to Gareth Thomas which almost jars in its intensity. One might forgive the former Wales captain – who skippered the Lions in two Tests in 2005 – for presenting more world-weariness and lethargy given the trajectory of his life since he retired from both codes of the game in 2011.
Now 50, [Thomas](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gareth-thomas/), nicknamed “Alfie” during his playing days, has experienced as many twists and turns in his life as the average octogenarian. A professional rugby career – during which he won a Heineken Cup with Toulouse – followed by coming to terms with his sexuality and then the diagnosis of a disease which was once marketed as “equalling death” in the western world. He was then sued by his former partner; and he married his husband, Stephen, in 2016.
Despite the distress and controversy, there is a conviction to Thomas which is, in many ways, quite admirable. We meet near Paddington Station because Thomas’s “Tackle HIV” campaign will be running a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.
# ‘I take one tablet a day and live a normal, happy life’
Reducing the stigma surrounding HIV has now become his focus, profession and vocation, given that perception and misinformation surrounding the disease has affected his daily life far more than any symptom.
“At 6am every morning I take one tablet and that is it,” Thomas tells *Telegraph Sport*. “It’s not a magic tablet. It’s not a ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ pill which some people think it is. It’s not a gigantic thing. It’s a normal tablet taken every day. I understand the importance of it but it has become a relevant irrelevance in my life. The fact it has become irrelevant to me – it’s just a part of my day – means I live a normal, happy, healthy life.”
Fantastic player – but he’s consistently been Wo is me.
Never mentions publicly embarrassing his wife who he cheated on for years
I hate his redemption arc. He knowingly transmitted HIV to his partner, who only found out because he discovered Gareth’s HIV medication with the label removed in the bathroom cabinet. You can live with HIV by taking medication but only if you know about it! His partner could have died because of his selfishness.
What a spineless individual. How he has the gall to continue showing his face in public, I do not know.
I doubt people are leaving because of his HIV diagnosis, they are likely leaving because they don’t want to be in the same space as someone who knowingly infected their sexual partners with HIV. He’s a PoS not because of his HIV diagnosis, he’s a PoS because he acted like a twat. Fuck this man and let’s remember his victims who he put at risk.
From the guy who went on a US chat show tour to celebrate his “ex-professional sportsman who’s now gay” lifestyle, compared himself playing rugby to Peyton Manning! His lack of self awareness is appalling.
Let’s also not forget that he made a joke about Alun Wyn Jones getting groped by Joe Marler, saying he wouldn’t have complained.
Bollocks. I don’t believe this for a second
Since the 75k pay out.
I wouldn’t leave if I had ordered my food and was peckish 😂
This is so disgusting, disingenuous and sets back real talk on HIV stigma. It also shows a complete lack of remorse and accountability on his part.
Folk don’t want to be in the same room as him because he knowingly spread HIV, not because he has HIV.
THAT IS MURDER.
Some people believe that everything that happens is, in some way, about them.
[deleted]
Good player back in the day, but I don’t believe people walk out of restaurants because he is there.
He is just seeking media attention 😒
I hope not
Pretty sure those people leaving will be the ones that have finished their meals
Who really cares … If people want to leave, so be it. Free country, not everyone is going to like or accept him. Personal opinion I think he’s the problem not the fact he has aids.
No Gareth. It’s because YOU walked in.
Despicable, selfish, attention seeking bellend, with the charisma and personality of a wilted pot plant.
Maybe they leave simply because he’s a piece of shit
Haven’t been able to stand him since the Scrum V meltdown in 2006.
20 comments
There is an energy to Gareth Thomas which almost jars in its intensity. One might forgive the former Wales captain – who skippered the Lions in two Tests in 2005 – for presenting more world-weariness and lethargy given the trajectory of his life since he retired from both codes of the game in 2011.
This is not just the Thomas who won 100 caps and a Grand Slam with Wales. This is the Thomas who announced his [positive HIV diagnosis in 2019](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2019/09/14/former-wales-lions-wing-gareth-thomas-reveals-hiv-diagnosis/); the Thomas who [came out as gay in 2009](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/britishandirishlionsrugby/6841818/Wales-and-Lions-full-back-Gareth-Thomas-reveals-he-is-gay.html) having divorced his childhood sweetheart, Jemma, two years earlier, with the pair enduring three miscarriages; the Thomas who at one stage had both Mickey Rourke and Tom Hardy considering a biopic; and the Thomas who, in 2022, was accused of “deceptively” transmitting HIV to a previous partner, eventually [settling for over £75,000](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2023/01/30/gareth-thomas-settles-hiv-case-ex-partner/) “without admitting liability or guilt”.
Now 50, [Thomas](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gareth-thomas/), nicknamed “Alfie” during his playing days, has experienced as many twists and turns in his life as the average octogenarian. A professional rugby career – during which he won a Heineken Cup with Toulouse – followed by coming to terms with his sexuality and then the diagnosis of a disease which was once marketed as “equalling death” in the western world. He was then sued by his former partner; and he married his husband, Stephen, in 2016.
Despite the distress and controversy, there is a conviction to Thomas which is, in many ways, quite admirable. We meet near Paddington Station because Thomas’s “Tackle HIV” campaign will be running a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.
# ‘I take one tablet a day and live a normal, happy life’
Reducing the stigma surrounding HIV has now become his focus, profession and vocation, given that perception and misinformation surrounding the disease has affected his daily life far more than any symptom.
“At 6am every morning I take one tablet and that is it,” Thomas tells *Telegraph Sport*. “It’s not a magic tablet. It’s not a ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ pill which some people think it is. It’s not a gigantic thing. It’s a normal tablet taken every day. I understand the importance of it but it has become a relevant irrelevance in my life. The fact it has become irrelevant to me – it’s just a part of my day – means I live a normal, happy, healthy life.”
**Read the full interview:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2025/03/11/gareth-thomas-people-leave-restaurants-hiv-wales-rugby/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2025/03/11/gareth-thomas-people-leave-restaurants-hiv-wales-rugby/)
I’m absolutely convinced this doesn’t happen.
Fantastic player – but he’s consistently been Wo is me.
Never mentions publicly embarrassing his wife who he cheated on for years
I hate his redemption arc. He knowingly transmitted HIV to his partner, who only found out because he discovered Gareth’s HIV medication with the label removed in the bathroom cabinet. You can live with HIV by taking medication but only if you know about it! His partner could have died because of his selfishness.
What a spineless individual. How he has the gall to continue showing his face in public, I do not know.
I doubt people are leaving because of his HIV diagnosis, they are likely leaving because they don’t want to be in the same space as someone who knowingly infected their sexual partners with HIV. He’s a PoS not because of his HIV diagnosis, he’s a PoS because he acted like a twat. Fuck this man and let’s remember his victims who he put at risk.
From the guy who went on a US chat show tour to celebrate his “ex-professional sportsman who’s now gay” lifestyle, compared himself playing rugby to Peyton Manning! His lack of self awareness is appalling.
Let’s also not forget that he made a joke about Alun Wyn Jones getting groped by Joe Marler, saying he wouldn’t have complained.
Bollocks. I don’t believe this for a second
Since the 75k pay out.
I wouldn’t leave if I had ordered my food and was peckish 😂
This is so disgusting, disingenuous and sets back real talk on HIV stigma. It also shows a complete lack of remorse and accountability on his part.
Folk don’t want to be in the same room as him because he knowingly spread HIV, not because he has HIV.
THAT IS MURDER.
Some people believe that everything that happens is, in some way, about them.
[deleted]
Good player back in the day, but I don’t believe people walk out of restaurants because he is there.
He is just seeking media attention 😒
I hope not
Pretty sure those people leaving will be the ones that have finished their meals
Who really cares … If people want to leave, so be it. Free country, not everyone is going to like or accept him. Personal opinion I think he’s the problem not the fact he has aids.
No Gareth. It’s because YOU walked in.
Despicable, selfish, attention seeking bellend, with the charisma and personality of a wilted pot plant.
Maybe they leave simply because he’s a piece of shit
Haven’t been able to stand him since the Scrum V meltdown in 2006.
All I can hear is Cartman’s voice 😂
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