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Cyrmu Online

Sports Interview

Ianto Jones - More Than Just a Rugby Jock?

Ianto Jones plays rugby for Cardiff's home team, the Cardiff Blues. He has been tipped for the 2012 GB Olympic squad and although not a Welsh International yet, he is sure to play for the national squad within the next few seasons. He has had a tumultuous few weeks following his suspension for fighting with a teammate and there have been a number of rumours about the state of his mental health. We interviewed him this week and are happy to put the record straight. We found him to be polite, highly intelligent, quick witted and very good company. He is 23 years old and was recently outed in the local press.

So Ianto, in the light of recent events do you wish you had done things differently?

Well, yes of course. I wish I'd had the courage to come out sooner. Looking back I don't even know why I didn't. The only reason I can think of is that I'm a very private person anyway and I don't really like talking about myself much. However, I am getting better at that, opening up to people. I think I'm less shy and inhibited than I used to be.

So you think being outed has changed you?

Well, I have changed but I'm not sure it's down to what has been written about me in the local press. I've started seeing a new doctor and he is encouraging me to be more outgoing. Also once I realised that my friends and the people who matter don't hate me, well let's just say it's liberating. You are going to see a whole new Ianto emerging in the next few months.

Really? In what ways do you think the new Ianto will be different from the old one?

Oh, I'm not sure. I don't think I've thought that far ahead yet. I just feel like I'm on the cusp of something big. I've always been so afraid of what people think about me but now it's out there, you know, people know and it's not so bad. I can be myself at last and I've been hiding so long, I'm not even sure what that means. My sister said recently that I'd always been a bit gay but since I've been out, I think her exact words were, "You're gayer than a bus load of Christmas Elves singing I Will Survive on a theatre trip to see Mama Mia." I've no idea what she meant by that but I don't think she meant it as an insult.

What about those rumours about the state of your mental health. Is there anything you want to say about that?

Not really, no. The newspaper said I've got OCD and it's true, I have. I've also been treated for generalised anxiety disorder in the past, but they are just names for conditions, they say nothing about me or who I am now. If you want to know about either condition, google it but if you want to know about me, then ask about me.

Okay, Ianto. We are asking about you. How are you?

I'm absolutely fine at the moment, thank you. I'm not going to deny there have been a few issues in the past and I live with OCD all the time but it's not bad now. I had a breakdown a few years ago and it wasn't funny at the time but I've learned to take myself much less seriously. My compulsions are still there but they tend to come out in things like obsessive neatness or having to arrange my desktop icons in a particular way. They're not things that hurt other people and I can laugh about it most of the time. In fact, I think a sense of humour helps. I'd also like to say that I am so grateful to my friends and my doctor because they've literally kept me sane through the last few weeks.

You came to blows with one of your teammates recently, was that in any way connected with your mental health?

No. Definitely not. I've admitted I've got a temper problem and I'm working on it but it is in no way connected with either OCD or generalised anxiety disorder. I tend to let things build up and then someone might say something relatively minor and it's not what they've said, it's all the things that have gone on before that I react to.

Your Team Captain stated you were a victim of homophobic bullying is that true?

Any gay man will tell you, it's something we put up with every day of our lives. Even though we are supposed to be a much more enlightened society and we have legislation that is supposed to protect us from discrimination and bigotry, you still get the idiots who think gay men are fair game.

So you're saying the player in question is an idiot then?

No, god no. That isn't what I'm saying at all. I don't want to say anything that will make the situation worse than it all ready is. I just want to play rugby.

What about the fans, how do you think they have reacted to your recent press?

There has been a lot of whispering and staring but if they do speak to me, it's usually supportive. If I could say anything to the fans it would be don't point and stare just come up and talk to me. I know I've said I wasn't as shy as I used to be and I'm not but I'm never going to be the type of person who enjoys being the centre of attention. Sometimes I just wish the ground would open up and swallow me.

You mentioned your sister; she has been a big influence on your life hasn't she?

Yes she has. She's older than me, I won't tell you how much older because she'll kill me, but when my mother died she completely took over the mothering role. Despite the fact she was still at school herself she always made sure I had clean clothes and she put me to bed every night and read me stories. She's my sister but sometimes I think our relationship is more like mother and son and I'm totally in awe of her. That's one of the reasons I didn't come out before I did, I was terrified she would reject me because I couldn't bear it if she wasn't in my life. My childhood wasn't great but it would have been completely shit without her.

Your mother dying must have been a defining moment in your life; do you think your life would have been different if she had been alive?

Who's to know for sure? I guess some psychologists would use my early life as a case study for the nature, nurture debate and my doctor is helping me to explore how my childhood experiences including my Mother's death affected my neurosis. My Dad and I didn't really get along and so if it wasn't for my sister I wouldn't have had any parenting at all. There was a time when I was really angry about that but I'm learning to accept what can't be changed.

Turning to the future then, is there any truth in the rumours that you have been picked for the 2012 Olypmic Squad.

I'm sorry but I'm not able to confirm or deny the rumours. The squad will be announced early next year, you'll just have to wait until then to find out.

What about those rumours that you we're deselected for the Welsh squad following your suspension.

I can confirm that there is no truth in that whatsoever. I have never been approached by the Welsh team.

But you would like to play for Wales.

Of course, who wouldn't. It's every Welshman's dream isn't it?

5 questions we ask everyone

British or Welsh?

Both, I guess. My passport says British but I'm pretty Welsh in my outlook. I don't have anything against the English or Scots though and I'm happy to be referred to as either British or Welsh, we are all part of one great island nation, separate but together if you know what I mean.

What could you not live without?

Coffee. I'm completely addicted. Not just to the drinking of it, but also to making it and sourcing new blends or creating my own blends.

Name one thing about you that would surprise people.

I play chess. I've been playing since I was four years old and I'm pretty good at it even if I do say so myself. In fact if I didn't play rugby I would probably play chess for a living.

What's been the biggest moment in your career so far?

I'm only 23 so I haven't had much of a career yet. Ask me again in 10 years time.

If you could go back in time and give your 16 year old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don't waste so much time and energy trying to be what you think people want you to be and just be yourself. Oh, and don't sleep with (name removed for legal reasons), he is going to turn out to be a complete wanker.

Finally, Ianto. The question that all our gay readers will want to know is are you available?

Oh, ha. Am I available? Good question. I guess you'll have to ask my boyfriend.

We'll take that as a no then?

Hmmm, Take it as a maybe; or a maybe not. Oh I don't know. Like I said, ask my boyfriend. If I know him he'll probably say yes, as long as he can watch.

Thank you, Ianto. It's been a real pleasure to meet someone so polite and down to earth. We would like to wish you all the best in your future career.

You're welcome and thank you, for giving me the opportunity to put my side of the story. It's been a pleasure for me too.

Comments

OMG, this guy sounds so sweet. Where can I meet him?

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Great interview, but why no picture. I want to know if he's hot.

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Oh he's H-O-T. There's a picture of him on the Blues website. Best looking guy on the team IMHO. LOL

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He's going to be attending the Christmas Charity Ball at the stadium this year. I've got tickets. Can't wait to meet him.

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It's sooo not fair. Why are all the best looking ones gay. I used to really fancy him as well.

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I'm a primary school teacher and I met Ianto when he opened our school fete. He was lovely, so polite and he couldn't do enough for the kids. The fact that he is gay hasn't changed my opinion of him in any way.

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I think I've seen his boyfriend around town with him. He's a bit older than him and an American. He's pretty hot too. In fact they make one HOT couple.

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I clicked on this from his twitter account. It doesn't come out much here but he is very, very funny. I'd recommend following him because it always cheers me up for the day when I read his posts.

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Ianto, we love you. Your fans will always be there for you. We don't care if you're gay.

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I like him better 'cause he's gay and I'm a straight female.

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I'm a straight female too and you get the feeling he'd make a great gay best friend.

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I don't care whether he is gay or straight as long as he keeps playing well and stops the other side from scoring

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I've got OCD, he is an inspiration to people like me. I'm not a rugby fan but I think he's lovely.

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"See," Jack said, "I told you, nobody cares about Brigstocke's article."

"It does seem that way," Ianto agreed, "People don't even seem to be pointing and staring much anymore and I'm getting loads of attention from young girls for some reason. There was a group of them hanging around the team entrance the other night. Rhys had a field day, he teased me about it for days."

"Oh yeah? They better keep their hands off you."

Ianto rolled his eyes, "Trust me, Jack. You've got nothing to worry about. I tried it once you know," he gave a little shiver, "never again. It's all those bits, I had no idea where to put my hands."

Jack laughed. "Good, because I'm not sharing you." He kissed his young lover on the cheek and then frowned as he noticed a battered time piece sitting next to Ianto's PC. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands. "Nice stopwatch," he said, "antique?"

"Yeah, It belonged to my granddad. Only thing my dad left me, actually. I use it for speed chess mainly, though I'm sure I could think of some other uses for it." Ianto smirked.

"If you say so," Jack replied, "come on, let's eat, but nothing Welsh. Andy told me what Lava Bread and Cockles were today and I'm never eating anything Welsh ever again. Who knows what you people will eat?"

"Oi, that's my heritage. Anyway, this from the man who's country brought us such culinary delights as corn dogs and grits, whatever the fuck they are."

"Ah, but don't forget hamburgers and pizzas, Ianto."

"Hamburgers, I'll give you, but I think you'll find that while there is some dispute about the origin of pizza most experts agree that the Italian American stole the idea from the Spanish."

"Whatever, and in any case I'm not strictly speaking American remember."

"Oh right because that makes all the difference. Your country of birth gave us such culinary delights as hard boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat and deep fried mars bars."

"And porridge, Ianto, don't forget the porridge."

"Oh yeah, who could forget the porridge. That reminds, me I need to re-grout in the bathroom."

Jack watched the tell tale signs that the man writhing beneath him was reaching orgasm and felt his own climax building as his lover shouted out in Welsh. Not being able to speak the language, Jack had no idea if Ianto's words were beautiful and romantic or hot and dirty. In fact he could be screaming out his shopping list for all Jack new. Three more thrusts and Jack found himself joining Ianto in a glorious culmination of the last few hours. Jack collapsed exhausted onto his lover and both men lay panting until Ianto's need to breathe forced him to slip from under the older man. Jack put his arm around him and drew him back in resting his head on Ianto's shoulder.

"What were you saying?" Jack asked.

"Huh?"

"Just then, you were shouting in Welsh, what did you say?"

"God, Jack. I don't know, I can't remember, I was a bit distracted," Ianto laughed.

"Teach me some Welsh words then. I want to know what you are saying to me when you are in the throes of passion, it sounded really hot but you could be reminding me to buy milk next time I go to the store for all I know."

"Yes, Jack. That's exactly what I said. I thought I'll wait until you're having an orgasm and then ask you to buy milk in a language you don't understand. Besides before I can teach you Welsh, I'd have to teach you to speak English."

"Hey, I speak English"

"No, you speak American English, you sully the language with made up words and made up spellings."

"Sully the language," Jack repeated in a surprisingly good approximation of Ianto's Welsh accent. He lifted his head to look at his lover. Sometimes Jack found himself perplexed by Ianto's dry sense of humour and wasn't always sure if he joking or serious. "What do you care, you're not even English."

"True, but both our great nations have adopted the language of the English peoples, the least we can do is look after it for them."

Jack sighed, "Fine, if I let you teach me English, will you teach me a few choice phrases in Welsh?"

"Sure, what do you want to know?"

"Oh, I don't know," Jack lowered his voice seductively, "Oh god, Yes. Do that again, Fuck me, Fuck me harder, please."

"Oh bloody hell," Ianto moaned, "forget the English lesson, just get over here and fuck me again."

Jack and Ianto we're on their second bottle of wine. Not drunk but pleasantly tipsy, wrapped around each other on Jack's sofa watching late night television. The film which neither of them had been particularly interested in came to an end and Jack flicked around the channels landing on a news broadcast about a new Macdonalds Restaurant in Algeria. Ianto saluted,

"God bless, America," he said, "taking over the world one Macdonalds outlet at a time."

Jack pouted. "You know, Ianto," he exclaimed, "I'm getting the distinct impression lately that you are less than enamoured with my country of adoption."

Ianto sat up unsteadily, "Me, no I love America, me." He looked at Jack fondly, kissed him on the cheek and then began to sing at the top of his voice. Jack was strangely moved by the sight of his beautiful Welshman singing and he had to admit the younger man had a good voice. He let him get to the end of the song before commenting, wiping away a mock tear,

"Ianto, that was beautiful. If it wasn't for the fact that you just sang the Canadian national anthem, substituting the word America for Canada, I think I'd be overwhelmed."

Ianto bowed his head then looked up at the older man and grinned. "I couldn't remember the words to the American national anthem," he said, "I didn't think you'd mind."

"I think I should be deeply offended, actually."

"I'll make it up to you later."

Jack was in his favourite place, spooned around his favourite Welshman, warm and sated and on the verge of dropping off to sleep. He thought about how well Ianto's coming out was going and wondered if maybe now was the time to tell him. Well not right now, obviously but soon. But then Christmas was coming up and nobody finished with their lover just before Christmas did they?. Yeah, he'd wait until after Christmas; or maybe New Year because after all everyone needed to have someone to kiss when the clock struck 12. Yes definitely after New Year, he'd do it then........Maybe. He pulled his young lover closer and smiled against the back of his neck, as he felt himself drawn into unconsciousness.

Ianto would have heaved a huge sigh if he hadn't been pretending to be asleep. Whatever the fuck was wrong with Jack, it was starting to get on his nerves. Sometimes he would catch the American staring at him, with an unreadable expression on his face that gave Ianto a strange feeling of impending doom, but as soon as they locked eyes, Jack would break the mood by grinning and making a suggestive comment. They had been together for months now and Jack had never once given Ianto any indication that he was anything other than a warm body and a pleasant distraction while he waited for something better to come along. Jack was always telling him how beautiful or sexy or amazing he was but never any mention of the L word and sometimes Ianto was almost certain that Jack was on the verge of finishing it. For the first time in his life he felt as if he was coming out of his shell and truth be told, Jack was dragging him back down again. Despite that Ianto knew he would say nothing because he wouldn't force the issue. He was going to stay with Jack for as long as Jack wanted him and if that meant the loss of what little self respect he had, then so be it.

Johnny and Rhys tumbled out of the drinking establishment depositing themselves on the pavement outside. Unlike the other five pubs they had tumbled out of that night, they hadn't even made it to the bar this time. The sight that met them had brought Rhys up short and he had turned around and shoved Johnny out before they had been seen.

Johnny looked at Rhys quizzically.

"Was that....?"

Rhys nodded grimly and blew air out over his gritted teeth.

"Yeah, yeah it was" he sighed.

".....and her, she was......"

Rhys nodded again. "Yes. Yes, she was."

"Shit," Johnny cursed, "Someone's going to have to tell Ianto"