Singer Tommy Fleming experienced a tense exchange with presenter Lucy Kennedy on her Virgin Media chat show, "Unfiltered," when she questioned him about his past marriage.
Fleming, who recently became openly gay, discussed the "s*** storm" that followed the breakdown of his marriage to Tina Mitchell, particularly after a leaked phone call led to his public disclosure of his sexuality. He described the period as a "strange road to navigate" and "very sad."
During the interview, Fleming became visibly irritated when Kennedy pressed him on rumors of infidelity during his marriage. "I've already discussed this. I'm not going on this one with this," he stated. When pressed further, he added, "I've spent months answering these questions. ... You're forgetting one thing. This is my life."
The 55-year-old singer also revealed that he felt "forced" to reveal his sexuality after a recording of a private phone call was widely shared online. He described the moment he learned of the leaked call as a feeling of "hopelessness."
Fleming denied suggestions from his ex-wife that he had been "stringing her along," stating, "For 22 years, I was very happy."
He further disclosed that he attempted suicide in September following the separation from his wife. He was admitted to St. Pat's, where he was diagnosed with depression and acute anxiety. Fleming indicated that his sexuality was a "contributing factor" to his past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, which led to his seeking professional help.
The leaked phone call, which is now the subject of a Garda investigation, was described by Fleming as a "betrayal."