Former Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas has revealed that he "spent a lot of time" with Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke ahead of the biopic due to be made about the retired sportsman's life.

The American actor has been chosen to play Thomas in the film, which will focus on the ex-captain's decision to come out as gay during his career.

"I didn't want to just give somebody the rights to my life, I wanted it to be for everything I've stood for since I came out," Thomas told ITV1 show Daybreak. "I needed Mickey to understand this so I needed to spend a lot of time with him."

Meanwhile, Thomas has signed up to appear on the new series of Dancing On Ice.