News - Gareth Thomas, the Welsh rugby star who came out at the end of last year, has said he hopes to find a boyfriend, in his first gay interview for Attitude magazine.

"I know a lot of gay men are looking for love. I've done this as well in the hope that I can find somebody," said Thomas.

"The thought now is exciting; sitting down to watch telly, to cuddle up to somebody, to be able to show affection to somebody is exciting."

"Externally I may look like a tough f**ker but emotionally I'm as soft as... I'm caring... I've got a lot of love to give.... I wouldn't be ashamed to walk down the street hand in hand with someone."

He said he hoped to become a part of the gay community and enjoy people's respect for coming out.

Thomas gave his coming out story to the Daily Mail, and contrary to popular opinion he was not forced out of the closet. He believes that the "newspaper" wanted to try and shift negative gay opinion in light of the Jan Moir debacle.

"I have got no reason to come out. I haven't got a boyfriend, I've got no kids, I've not been pressured, I haven't been caught doing anything... none of that. I'm doing it because I want people to be able to be free to be gay."

"I am sure they were aware that running this story could help reverse some of the negative press around the Stephen Gately story."

"Whether they have I don't know [because] some things probably hurt too bad. I said to the writer at the end, if you have children, all I ask if when you read this, if it was your son would you as a mother be proud of it, if it is you've done it right – and my mother said she was proud of it. It's a way of talking to their readers who may have preconceptions and show them my reality and I hope that makes them think."

The 35-year-old star, who is the most-capped Welsh player, said in December that since coming out, he had had an "amazing response" from the public.

The new issue of Attitude is out now.