Rugby star Keegan Hirst ‘had secret boyfriend’ when he filmed awkward First Dates – claims ex wife
His ex wife contacted Keegan's date from the show with the news
KEEGAN Hirst’s ex wife has claimed the gay rugby player had a boyfriend when he appeared on Celebrity First Dates.
Viewers watched as the sports star was paired with social media fanatic Paddy White – on what Keegan claimed was his first date ever with a man.
Following the excruciatingly awkward meal – during which Paddy confidently propositioned Keegan by asking if he 'wanted any Irish in him' – Paddy was contacted by the rugby player’s ex wife Sara Hirst.
She tweeted him: “Aww @_Paddy_White_ maybe try to date lads without boyfriends next time they may be more interesting! #awkward i should know i married him.”
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A spokesperson for Keegan has denied the claims, saying: "At the time of filming First Dates Keegan Hirst was single."
Sara and Paddy then began messaging privately and in screen grabs obtained by The Sun Online, Sara again made the claim telling Paddy it is awkward because their daughter was asking why he was on the show when he had a boyfriend.
She went on to wish him luck in finding love in the future.
Speaking about his date with Keegan - who he believed was single - Paddy told The Sun Online: “He was silent the entire time and never asked me a single question.
“I had heard rumours he had a boyfriend. I felt unbearably awkward and thought to myself I’m going to have to make the best out of this bad situation.”
Paddy had previously been made aware of a tweet which claimed that Keegan had asked permission from his partner to do the show solely for self-promotion.
He added: "I feel like I've been taken for a ride - and not in a good way."
“I tried my hardest to make something of nothing, but there was clearly a level of honesty missing in this match up.
Keegan fans like I am a ‘shame to the gay community’, ‘shallow’ and ‘desperate’ in my attempts to engage with him. I just wanted to enjoy the once in a lifetime experience and share a laugh with someone.”
Batley Bulldogs captain Keegan came out as gay last year when he was married to Sara, with whom he has two children.
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