Tommy Fleming ‘feared his career was over’ after audio of private conversation was leaked

The Sligo singer has made headlines since the breakdown of his marriage was first reported last week, and on Friday afternoon he publicly came out as gay on national radio

Tommy Fleming feared his career was over after a recording of a private conversation was leaked this week.

Last Sunday, it was revealed that the Sligo singer and his wife Tina Mitchell had ended their marriage last October after 20 years together.

Following that, gardaí confirmed they are investigating the leaking of an audio recording of a private conversation involving Tommy.

Friends close to Tommy today told the Sunday World that the entertainer was terrified of public backlash and worried his professional career would be ruined as a result.

But they added the singer is now “hugely relieved” that he has the support of his fans and will kick off a new tour later this year.

On Friday afternoon, Tommy broke his silence on the breakdown of his marriage to wife Tina.

“I’d love to say it’s to set to record straight, but it’s to give my side of it too, to give you my truth,” he said on why he decided to speak out now.

“For at least 10 or 13 years of marriage we were very happy but small cracked started to appear,” he continued.

“Small cracks that were never mended. Those cracks became a chasm. I wasn’t happy with my own situation… It wasn’t about being happy, it was about being uncomfortable with the situation if that makes sense.

“I had been living a lie for all my life really. The hardest part of that was the energy and the effort it took for this lie to be constantly covered. That lie was that I’m gay.”

Speaking to Ciara Kelly on Newstalk’s The Hard Shoulder, he added: “I’m finally living my truth. I’m finally being honest. I’m finally able to live a life that’s true and real and honest.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Tommy spoke about alcohol and substance abuse.

“Alcohol and substances were… I medicated with them,” he said.

“They were a painkiller. They helped me sleep.

“It was across a broad spectrum of prescription medication, illegal substances, alcohol, all of the above I dabbled with.”

He went on to say that when he is living as his true self, he felt no need to drink or take drugs.

“The moment I stepped out on the ground wherever I was, as a gay man, the last thing I want is a drink,” said Tommy.

“It’s like a switch. I’m not looking to numb something anymore. Actually a painkiller is the wrong word, an anaesthetic is what it was.”

The performer also spoke in the interview about being admitted to St Patrick’s Hospital last year.

He has been significantly struggling with his mental health as a result of leading a double life and hiding his true health.

After a suicide attempt via overdose, the singer was admitted to St. Patrick’s Mental Hospital last September.

“[It came from] an overwhelming sense of absolute sadness and hopelessness,” he explained.

“And the fact it would be so much easier if I wasn’t here. I was admitted to St Pat’s for treatment for acute depression and anxiety.”

He told his doctors in the hospital about his sexuality and said that being admitted into treatment was “terrifying”.

“I initially felt like an absolute failure,” he said. “I felt like I had absolutely failed in every walk of life, in every thing I had done and I wasn’t a real man.”

He added that if the events of recent weeks happened six or seven months ago, he wasn’t sure if he would have survived it.

If you are struggling with your mental health, you can ring Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123.

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