Gareth Thomas' participation in the UK's Celebrity Big Brother is making him the topic of conversation in some circles. Oxford City footballer Lee Steele failed to play for his team on Saturday after a tweet (which was later deleted) he made about Thomas caused some controversy:
A remark about openly gay former Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas appeared on the 38-year-old’s account on Thursday night. It said: “I wouldn’t fancy the bed next to Gareth Thomas #padlockeda**ehole”. The tweet, which was criticised by a city gay rights group, had been deleted by 1pm on Friday.
Our Saturday story prompted debate online and at City’s Court Place Farm ground, where Mike Ford’s team beat Chippenham 2-1 without Steele. One fan, who did not want to be named said: “It was stupid of him to say something on the internet but I don’t think it means he hates gay people.”
Other folks on Twitter begged to disagree: