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<\/p>\nStar said since coming out, \u201cthe last thing\u201d 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<\/p>\n
The couple\u2019s relationship came to an end seven months ago after more than 20 years together.<\/p>\n
In a statement to the Sunday Independent last week, Tina (63) said: \u201cI confirm that our marriage has ended, and we have been separated since October 2025.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking to Ciara Kelly on The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk, Sligo-born Fleming (55) said \u201csmall cracks started to appear\u201d in the marriage, mainly for him, and they were \u201cnever mended\u201d.<\/p>\n
The folk and traditional singer revealed publicly for the first time that he is gay, and said that he had been \u201cliving a lie\u201d, but is now living his \u201ctruth\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd with every crack that appeared, there was a new crack and a new crack, and those cracks became a chasm,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy with my own situation. I wasn’t happy, and it wasn’t about being happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was about being uncomfortable with the situation, if that makes sense. I’d been living a lie for all my life, really.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that lie was that I’m gay.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Co Sligo singer also revealed that he was treated at St Patrick\u2019s Mental Health Services after attempting to take his life last September. He said he had experienced \u201can overwhelming sense of absolute sadness and hopelessness\u201d.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s.<\/p>\n
He added that he does not remember the phone conversation taking place.<\/p>\n
Speaking about his use of alcohol and drugs, he said he \u201cmedicated with them\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that since coming out as gay, \u201cthe last thing\u201d he wanted was a drink.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was like a switch. It\u2019s like I\u2019m not looking to numb something any more, actually painkiller was the wrong word.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an anaesthetic, that\u2019s what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Fleming said he felt his \u201chand was forced\u201d on coming out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s not that I wouldn’t have come out. Even that word, I don’t\u2026 The fact that you have to come out in 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not how I wanted to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n
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News in 90 Seconds – Friday, May 15 <\/p>\n
He added that he felt his privacy around his suicide attempt was taken away from him that it \u201cwas never meant to be public\u201d, and he would have preferred it never became publicly known.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s anger, and I absolutely understand that anger.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd someday I hope \u2013 I don’t seek forgiveness and I don’t expect it \u2013 but I would hope, if there is a God, I would hope and pray that there would be acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that \u201cso many people\u201d were impacted by his behaviour, and \u201ca lot of hurt was caused\u201d, but not intentionally\u201d.<\/p>\n
While he said he felt \u201cterrified\u201d giving the interview, he said that he is now living without fear for the first time.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
On what comes next for him, Mr Fleming said he is hopeful he will return to the stage and sing again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThankfully, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly I can deal with those things, and I can only deal with them as best as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n