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Ian Thorpe‘s name will forever be etched in Australian history as one of our greatest sporting legends.
But away from the pool and following his retirement from competitive swimming, first in 2006 and again in 2012 after a brief comeback, the 41-year-old hasn’t always had an easy relationship with love and romance.
Ian Thorpe came out in 2014 after years of speculation about his sexuality.
(Credit: Getty)When did Ian Thorpe come out?
The now-openly gay star endured speculation about his sexuality for years, before officially coming out during a TV interview with UK talk show host Michael Parkinson in 2014.
After denying his homosexuality publicly for years, Ian was finally able to be at peace with his identity as a gay man.
“I’m comfortable saying I’m a gay man. And I don’t want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay,” he said, hinting at his own struggles.
“I am telling the world that I am gay … and I hope this makes it easier for others now, and even if you’ve held it in for years, it feels easier to get it out.”
Ryan and Ian pictured during their time together.
(Credit: Getty)Who is Ian Thorpe’s boyfriend?
Ian’s first major relationship after coming out was with Aussie model and entrepreneur Ryan Channing.
The pair dated from 2015 until 2019, before parting amicably.
“Yes, the rumours are true, we have parted ways. It has all been very amicable. We have stayed friends.” Ryan revealed to The Daily Telegraph at the time.
The pair were regular fixtures on the glamorous event circuit and were regularly photographed together on the red carpet. They also happily shared many cute couple photos on Instagram.
The former couple pictured enjoying a day out in Sydney together.
(Credit: Instagram)Ian and Ryan made no secret of the fact that they were keen to start a family together, even seeking out a potential surrogate and other fertility options.
While there were rumours that their decision to pursue family planning options was behind the couple’s split, Ryan confirmed that wasn’t actually the case.
“There has been talk Ian wasn’t ready for a family. I can’t comment on his behalf, but that was never a discussion as to why we were separating. It was more around the busy lifestyles we lead now, and the fact it was hard to manage the relationship with the travel schedules we have,” he told our sister site WHO in 2019.
Ryan explained he was always planning to have a child – and his former boyfriend was well aware of his plans.
“Ian has known from the very beginning this was my plan and he came into that plan because we were together … Having a child is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Heartbreakingly though, Ryan tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Bali in 2022 at just 32 years of age.
“This is a relationship that I had that was a long-term relationship, and I feel for Ryan’s family,” Ian said following the news of Ryan’s passing.
“I hope people are able to respect their privacy as well. I think when it is someone that is so young, it is tragic for anyone to see them passing at that kind of age.”
Ian is one of Australia’s most successful athletes.
(Credit: Getty)Is Ian Thorpe single?
Ian leads quite a private life for a public figure and has not posted any photos of a potential new partner on Instagram, nor has he confirmed any details of a new romance.
The most recent update on Ian’s relationship was given to the Sydney Morning Herald in August 2023.
“I have always been a relationships kind of guy. At the moment I am single and looking. If I find the right person, I do plan to settle down and would consider starting a family,” he told the publication.
“My upbringing is very focused around family and I’d like to take part in that if it happens for me.”
