Tears as ‘best parents’ surprise legend at awards
RUGBY legend Gareth Thomas broke down in tears as his mum and dad surprised him on stage with his Sporting Inspiration award at the Mirror Pride of Sports Awards.
The Wales rugby legend had already received powerful tributes for his courage in dealing with HIV from Sir Elton John, Jason Leonard and Mark Foster, when Yvonne and Barry were introduced from backstage by Ben Shephard.
Gareth, who had thought they were back home in Wales looking after his dog, gasped in shock and clasped his head in his hands when they walked on, before thanking them in the most heartwarming and emotional moment of the night.
Introducing the couple, Shephard said: “There’s two people who wanted to be here to give you this award.
“They’re two people who wanted to show how proud they are of you and what you’ve managed to overcome. It’s your mum and dad.”
It was this introduction that reduced Gareth, who is affectionately known as Alfie, to tears.
He said: “I wouldn’t be here without them. Please clap them, not me.
“We have been through some really difficult, dark times.
“Honestly, I have got a loving husband at home but I would not be here without these.”
Thomas has previously spoken about how he was robbed of the chance of telling his parents he was HIV-positive. The former Welsh international explained how a tabloid journalist knocked on his mother and father’s door and broke the news about his condition.
It was a secret the 45-year-old had kept from Yvonne, a retired hospital secretary, and Barry, a former postman, for many years.
He told BBC Breakfast TV: “Can you imagine someone coming to your door and saying something so personal and intrusive about you to the people you love and would protect through anything? I can’t – but what I can tell you is that I’ve got the best parents on the planet because, to this day, they stand my me and believe in me and what I’m doing now.”