Blackpool's Jake Daniels becomes UK's first active male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay

Blackpool FC's Jake Daniels has come out as gay in a televised interview today to Sky Sports, becoming Britain's only active openly gay professional player.

He is the first professional player in British men's football to come out publicly since Justin Fashanu in 1990.

The 17-year-old made his first team debut earlier this month on the last day of the season against Peterborough, and played a major role in the team's run to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.

On coming out, he said: "For a long time I've thought I would have to hide my truth because I wanted to be, and now I am, a professional footballer. I asked myself if I should wait until I've retired to come out. No other player in the professional game here is out.

"However, I knew that would lead to a long time of lying and not being able to be myself or lead the life that I want to.

"Since I've come out to my family, my club and my teammates, that period of overthinking everything and the stress it created has gone. It was impacting my mental health.

"Now I am just confident and happy to be myself finally."

The teenager also said that he has received "amazing" support from his family, friends and Blackpool FC. Daniels said that when he first told his teammates, they were "kind of shocked in a way", and asked why he didn't tell them earlier.

"The captain was one of the main people I told and he was just asking loads of questions about it and was like 'I'm so proud of you'."

He added: "Everyone has been so supportive and so proud of me and it just shows what a bond we have as a team and everyone is like a family to each other."

Daniels becomes the second active professional footballer to come out after, Josh Cavallo, who plays for Australian side Adelaide United, came out as gay last year to then become the only out pro in the world.

Blackpool forward Jake Daniels speaks exclusively to @SkySportsNews on becoming the UK's first male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay since Justin Fashanu.

Read more: https://t.co/ZzGEehYrB6 pic.twitter.com/Kk3bTdrfnp

— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 16, 2022