Star said since coming out, “the last thing” he wanted was a drinkFleming said a phone conversation that was recorded without his knowledge took place while he was in a mental health facility
The couple’s relationship came to an end seven months ago after more than 20 years together.
In a statement to the Sunday Independent last week, Tina (63) said: “I confirm that our marriage has ended, and we have been separated since October 2025.”
Speaking to Ciara Kelly on The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk, Sligo-born Fleming (55) said “small cracks started to appear” in the marriage, mainly for him, and they were “never mended”.
The folk and traditional singer revealed publicly for the first time that he is gay, and said that he had been “living a lie”, but is now living his “truth”.
“And with every crack that appeared, there was a new crack and a new crack, and those cracks became a chasm,” he said.
“I just wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy with my own situation. I wasn’t happy, and it wasn’t about being happy.
“It was about being uncomfortable with the situation, if that makes sense. I’d been living a lie for all my life, really.
“And the hardest part of that was the energy and the effort it took for this lie to be constantly covered and to be, I suppose, protected.
“And that lie was that I’m gay.”
The Co Sligo singer also revealed that he was treated at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services after attempting to take his life last September. He said he had experienced “an overwhelming sense of absolute sadness and hopelessness”.
Mr Fleming said audio of a phone conversation that has been leaked was recorded and shared without his knowledge, and that phone call took place while he was in St Patrick’s.
He added that he does not remember the phone conversation taking place.
Speaking about his use of alcohol and drugs, he said he “medicated with them”.
“They were a painkiller to help me sleep, and it was across a broad spectrum of prescription medication, illegal substances, alcohol, all of the above that I dabbled with.”
He said that since coming out as gay, “the last thing” he wanted was a drink.
“It was like a switch. It’s like I’m not looking to numb something any more, actually painkiller was the wrong word.
“It was an anaesthetic, that’s what it was.”
Mr Fleming said he felt his “hand was forced” on coming out.
“It’s not that I wouldn’t have come out. Even that word, I don’t… The fact that you have to come out in 2026.
“I would never have, and it’s not that I was going to be lying again about it, I’m not that type of person, just I’m not going to be running down Grafton Street singing I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross.
“This is not how I wanted to do this.”
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He added that he felt his privacy around his suicide attempt was taken away from him that it “was never meant to be public”, and he would have preferred it never became publicly known.
Asked if he ever felt guilty about marrying Tina, knowing he was gay, he said he did not. He said he regrets any hurt he has caused to his loved ones.
“There’s anger, and I absolutely understand that anger.
“I’m absolutely remorseful and regretful for any of the hurt I’ve caused to the people I love, in pursuing my truth or living my truth, whatever way I want to put it.
“And someday I hope – I don’t seek forgiveness and I don’t expect it – but I would hope, if there is a God, I would hope and pray that there would be acceptance.”
He added that “so many people” were impacted by his behaviour, and “a lot of hurt was caused”, but not intentionally”.
While he said he felt “terrified” giving the interview, he said that he is now living without fear for the first time.
Reflecting on his health now, he said his mental health, family and his closest friends are most important to him now, as is his music, as he plans to continue performing in the future.
On what comes next for him, Mr Fleming said he is hopeful he will return to the stage and sing again.
“Thankfully, I’m young enough to be able to live my life, hopefully that this is the start of the rest of my life, and only I can deal with the guilt, the remorse, the regret, all of those things.
“Only I can deal with those things, and I can only deal with them as best as I can.”
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