My Secret Life: Gareth Thomas, 37, rugby player

'I cry quite a lot'

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)