Thorpie's Christmas wedding joy!

The Olympic hero marks the win for gay marriage in Australia with his own happy news

As it was announced the country had overwhelmingly backed same-sex marriage in Australia last week, supporters cried tears of joy and it marked a life-changing milestone for former Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe and his boyfriend Ryan Channing.

The star, 35, dropped a huge hint he and his law student and swimwear model boyfriend, 28, would tie the knot as soon as the government legislated the change, with any luck around Christmas.

“I wouldn’t want to comment just yet [on our marriage plans],” said Ian. “After Christmas, as long as it goes through, ask me again then.”

Though Ian went public with Ryan in early 2016, coming out as gay was anything but easy.

In 2014 the five-time Olympic gold medallist decided to publicly acknowledge his sexuality on a TV interview with Michael Parkinson, revealing how he suffered from bullying at school and “struggled” to open up to his parents. “When I was about 16, I was ‘accused’ of being gay and because it was in that tone, I always thought of it as a negative – of not being equal,” Ian said.

“It was frightening. I knew I should have come out earlier, but I never thought I would. I didn’t have the confidence.”

One of his most meaningful l moments recently was the fact his family embraced the opportunity to vote yes.

“We had a family event recently and I was actually shocked, and I shouldn’t be, when family members came up and said, ‘We’ll be voting yes, and we just wanted you to know.’ When it comes from family, it touches you because you feel accepted.”

‘I never thought I would [come out]. I didn’t have the confidence’