My Secret Life: Gareth Thomas, 37, rugby player

'I cry quite a lot'

Thomas says: 'When I look in the mirror I see a person that has been through a lot. My face tells a story, and I see a guy who can stick his chest out and think 'I'm an honest person, who can hopefully help other people be honest' (Immo Klink)

My parents were... really loving. I'm one of three boys who all had different interests and they sacrificed their time for us. They're Yvonne and Barry.

The household I grew up in... It's just a normal detached house, front door is always open.

When I was a child I wanted to be... I'm lucky enough to say I am what I always wanted to be. Although, I also wanted to be Monkey – he's a Chinese martial arts monkey, on telly.

If I could change one thing about myself... Not to be as hot-headed as I am.

You wouldn't know it but I am very good at... learning. I like to be challenged – I struggled with school but if someone sets me a task I'll do everything I can to master it.

You may not know it but I'm no good at... computers. Switching on a computer is a task for me.

I wish I had never worn... There was a fashion in Wales for Flintstones jeans – they had a picture of Fred and Wilma on each leg – a fashion disaster.

What I see when I look in the mirror... I see a person that has been through a lot. My face tells a story, and I see a guy who can stick his chest out and think 'I'm an honest person, who can hopefully help other people be honest'.

My favourite item of clothing... I've got a bobble hat that I love to wear. It was bought for me by a special person; I put it on and it feels nice.

It's not fashionable but I like... comfy clothes: tracksuits, pyjamas, rubbish slippers.

I drive... a BMW and a Triumph motorbike.

My house is... I've a house in London, but I'd rather be in my mother's house.

My favourite work of art... I have a couple of paintings by Kelly Richards, a Welsh artist who does paintings inspired by Dylan Thomas.

My favourite building... The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Movie heaven... Easy – Notting Hill.

My greatest regret... I want to be able to say I don't have any, but I do have regrets and I can't rewrite them.

My secret crush... I can't remember his name, but he was 'the Fall Guy' on TV.

My real-life villain... I get on better with him now than ever, but he was my real-life villain: my oldest brother. We always used to end up fighting.

The last time I cried... I'm not embarrassed, I cry quite a lot. I did something called My Sporting Life on the radio and you just talk about your career. I went home and listened to it, and I got really emotional!

My life in six words... My family has always loved me.

A LIFE IN BRIEF

Gareth Thomas was born in Bridgend, in 1974. He played rugby for Wales for 12 years, before retiring in 2007 as the most-capped player in the club's history. He was married for six years, divorced in 2007 and came out as gay in 2009 – the first professional sportsman to do so. Gareth lives in London, recently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, and is currently working with Nikon, recording his career milestones (see nikonmilestones.com)