Rebecca Adlington's ex-husband Harry Needs talks about his bisexuality
‘I had zero experience with the same sex’: Rebecca Adlington’s ex-husband Harry Needs admits he ‘never had the time to discover his full sexuality’ before getting married
- Harry, 28, took to Instagram to reveal he felt ready to address his sexuality on Father’s Day
- He revealed the news when a fan asked him about his sexuality during a Q&A
- Speaking to GuysLikeU , the personal trainer has now revealed he has not had the time to ‘explore my sexuality fully’
- The couple met when Harry was 17 and married in 2014 – splitting two years later
- They welcomed their five-year-old daughter Summer in June 2015
- Harry previously explained he has known he is bisexual since he was 13, but only came out to Rebecca last year after their amicable separation
Harry Needs has given his first interview since coming out as bisexual last week.
Rebecca Adlington’s ex husband, 28, took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal he felt ready to publicly address his sexuality after previously ‘avoiding’ the question ‘every day of his life so far’.
Speaking to GuysLikeU, the personal trainer has now revealed he didn’t have the time to ‘explore my sexuality fully’ after he fell for Olympian Rebecca when he was 17.
Big moment: Rebecca Adlington’s ex-husband Harry Needs has given his first interview since coming out as bisexual last week
Harry previously explained he has known he is bisexual since he was 13, but only came out to Rebecca last year after their amicable separation.
In the new interview Harry admitted he never told his ex about his sexuality during their two year marriage, and five year relationship prior to tying the knot.
‘I didn’t say a thing,’ he explained. ‘For me personally, my journey with Rebecca was a destination to love. I think as an unconfident bisexual man it was extremely difficult back then to admit it even to myself, especially considering I had zero experience with the same sex.’
‘Once I knew I loved Rebecca, I was committed to that relationship and its journey for the rest of my life.’
Family: Speaking to GuysLikeU , the personal trainer has now revealed he has not had the time to ‘explore my sexuality fully’ after falling for Olympian Rebecca when he was just 17 (pictured with their daughter Summer, five)
He added that he never felt he had deceived his ex, who he is now co-parents their daughter Summer, five, with under the same roof.
‘I only talked to Rebecca about my sexuality as a friend after we had amicably separated. I never felt I deceived her, because I loved her and like I already said, I never had the time to discover my full sexuality.’
‘Becky and I are extremely supportive of each other and our lives now revolve around our daughter Summer, who is our main priority.’
Speaking about how hiding his sexuality has affected his mental health, Harry said that he has suffered with both depression and anxiety ‘from as early as I can remember,’ regardless of how he identifies, but admitted his journey has been ‘difficult’.
‘Even though after my divorce I came to terms with my authentic self, there have been difficult times on my journey because I didn’t feel confident enough to confide in anyone else about it, even though I have had many great friends along the way who were there for me.’
Proud dad: Harry previously explained he has known he is bisexual since he was 13, but only came out to Rebecca last year after their amicable separation. The exes co-parent Summer under the same roof
‘And yes, I do think that feeling isolated and hiding away may have had a negative impact on my mental health. But I was lucky to have had a huge outlet in my sport of swimming and these particularly unique friendships that I still have in my life today,’ he said.
He pointed out that he has not had a relationship with a man, as he got together with Rebecca when he was so young, explaining that this has affected his decision to come out so publicly
‘Although I identify as bisexual now, it’s been difficult to be open about it in the past because I was always in heterosexual relationships throughout my teens, right up until I married Rebecca’.
‘I would feel very hypocritical to open up publicly or speak out about being bisexual without actually having been in a same sex relationship… Which is why I am now able and comfortable to speak out about it now.
Harry also made clear that he’s always known he is bisexual, and not gay or straight.
‘The popular belief that there are just gay people and straight people in the world is what makes being bisexual so confusing. I have to admit I’ve questioned my sexuality a lot over the years, but I’ve always known that I was neither gay nor straight,’ he said.
Harry first discussed his bisexuality during a question and answer session on his Instagram Stories last weekend, when a fan questioned what his sexuality is – saying he has known since the age of 13.
He replied: ‘This is a question I’ve avoided everyday of my life so far, mainly because I strongly dislike labels despite not knowing a solution to avoid them. But if I had to answer I would people that I’ve always been bisexual #ahh.’
Open: The personal trainer, 28, took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal that he felt ready to publicly address his sexuality after previously ‘avoiding’ the question ‘every day of his life’
Harry told fans that he has known about his sexuality since the age of 13, but never previously felt the need to publicly address it after meeting Rebecca, 31, aged 17.
The father-of-one told fans that being bisexual wasn’t a factor in the breakdown of his marriage to the former Olympic swimming champion.
Explaining why he picked Sunday to come out, Harry wrote: ‘Today is #fathersday #pridemonth and the last #mensmentalhealthawareness week. I couldn’t waste an opportunity as gold as that.’
Harry shared a collage of images of himself and the daughter he shares with Rebecca, Summer, five, alongside a lengthy caption about Father’s Day.
‘Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there that embody the duty to inspire, teach, care and love their children the way they all children deserve too be loved.’
‘I can burst with excitement sometimes over how proud I am to be Summers dad, and I will cherish every single moment with this kid until my very last breath.
A-team: Harry (left) has been spending lockdown with Rebecca (far right), her boyfriend Andrew Parsons (second right), Harry’s best friend Michael Gunning (second left) and Summer
‘For any dads out their who made mistakes along the way (because we all have), grow beyond it, fix it and never stop trying to be that inspiration, role model and super hero.
Harry finished the post by giving a shout out to other bisexual dads, and wrote:
‘Never stop creating ourselves, we all deserve happier times. In honour of #pride Special shout out to all the bisexual dads out there, I see you, I hear you, I feel you.’
After sharing the news with his fans, Harry followed up by answering any other questions his followers had about his sexuality.
One person queried whether he and Rebecca split because of it, and he said: ‘This is a question I already anticipation people asking, and I’m definitely happy to share the truth. @beckadlington and I, NEVER got divorced because of my sexuality.
Family first: The Olympian and her former husband were isolating together with her boyfriend and Harry’s friend (pictured)
I hear you: Harry shared a collage of images of himself and the daughter he shares with Rebecca, Summer, alongside a lengthy caption about Father’s Day
Golden: Explaining why he picked Sunday, Harry wrote: ‘Today is #fathersday #pridemonth and the last #mensmentalhealthawareness week. I couldn’t waste an opportunity’
‘Becky is an absolutely incredible supportive friend, and has been from the start and always will be.
‘I will also NEVER share the details as to why me and Becky went our separate ways, I hope you can respect that.’
Harry admitted he has been ‘content’ with his sexuality for years but said that it can feel ‘confusing’ to begin with, before adding he was there for anyone struggling.
He added: ‘Once I was married to Becky, there was no need for me to publicly share my sexuality but I hope my journey can inspire many others to be true to themselves… I’m always here to anyone who wants to reach out.’
The father-of-one also revealed that his friends and family were previously aware of his sexuality, he wants to share with his Instagram followers in the hope of helping.
Helping hand: The father-of-one also revealed that his friends and family were previously aware of his sexuality, he wants to share with his Instagram followers in the hope of helping
Honest: After sharing the news with his fans, Harry followed up by answering any other questions his followers had about his sexuality
A further post revealed that his family are ‘fully supportive’ of his choices as he said that they stand for equality in many aspects of life.
Harry also revealed that he has enjoyed long-lasting relationships with both sexes, as he added that he has ‘treasured’ every one.
He finished by saying: ‘I’ve been very fortunate with all the people I’ve crossed paths and grown with.’
Harry also offered advice on coming out to loved ones, and said: ‘Anyone that truly loves you will accept you for who you are.
‘It can take some time to adjust in some cases, but the respect you will have for yourself will be far greater and outweigh any negativity you receive.
Love is love: A further post revealed that his family are ‘fully supportive’ of his choices as he said that they stand for equality in many aspects of life
‘I think sometimes you can overthink it, because it’s of such a personal and emotional importance… but my advice is to embrace it, share it and be your true self. Start a conversation. It’s as simple as that.’
Harry and Rebecca have remained on good terms following their split and are currently locked down together during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rebecca recently shed light on co-parenting Summer with ex Harry after isolating together with her boyfriend Andrew Parsons and Harry’s friend Michael Gunning.
In an interview with HELLO!, the Olympian said her daughter with her former husband has ‘loved’ spending rare quality time with them both, gushing: ‘She gets the best of both worlds!’
The swimmer credited the coronavirus lockdown for forming a solid routine, with their little girl spending three days each at their respective homes.
Healthy co-parenting: The athlete credited the coronavirus lockdown for forming a solid routine, with their little girl spending three days each at their respective homes
Rebecca said: ‘She goes to Harry’s for three days, she comes to mine for three days. We have co-parented really well and found our routine. She gets the best of both worlds!’
The media personality said she felt ‘bad’ at the start of lockdown because Summer struggled with leaving school as a only child, but has since adapted to ‘spending quality time with mummy and daddy.’
The athlete explained: ‘Normally we’re such in a rush, we pick her up from school, take her to tennis or swimming, for the first time she’s spent real quality time with us.
‘We’re not going anywhere, we just sit and chat and laugh or just dance, snuggle. We used to do bits of that at the weekend, but this is quality time.’
It was recently claimed she invited Harry to temporarily move into the home she shares with Andrew, so he can be closer to their daughter.
They split in 2016 after 18 months of marriage, and Rebecca went onto reveal she was dating the property manager in 2018.
Impressive: The blonde beauty also revealed her kid has followed in her footsteps by taking up swimming, and recently revealed she’s been missing the sport
Sources told The Sun that Harry also brought along his close friend, competitive swimmer Michael, 26, to move into the house, and despite it seeming odd from the outside, they’ve been getting on well.
They said: ‘Their arrangement is very amicable and they’re doing what’s best for Summer.
‘They still get on really well despite their split, so why not? And Harry’s friend Michael is close with the others too.
‘They’re all really enjoying each other’s company and, what with their shared interest in swimming, it was a no-brainer.’
Harry shared a glimpse of the new domestic set-up in a selfie with Rebecca, their daughter, Andrew and Michael last month, writing: ‘Couldn’t wish to be stuck at home with a better bunch of people, so glad my bestie had a birthday to remember.’
Michael – himself a competitive swimmer – also appeared on MTV’s The Bi Life in 2018.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Rebecca for comment at the time of publication.
Going strong: Rebecca confirmed her romance with property manager Andrew in December 2018
Source: Read Full Article