'I was living a lie' - Singer Tommy Fleming comes out as gay in first interview since marriage break-up

"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 pain"

A long-term marriage ended after small cracks appeared and were never repaired. A singer publicly revealed he is gay and said he had been living a lie, describing the progression from repeated cracks to a chasm. He said he was unhappy and uncomfortable with his situation, and that maintaining the lie required constant effort and protection. He reported treatment at St Patrick's Mental Health Services after attempting to take his life, describing overwhelming sadness and hopelessness. He said a leaked phone conversation was recorded and shared without his knowledge, and that he does not remember the call. He also said he medicated with alcohol and drugs.

Read at Irish Independent