Apparently, Richard Chamberlain (Dr Kildare to those a little older than me and that bloke from the Thorn Birds to me) who was (apparently) a heart throb has decided to come out. Which of the following statements from the Ananova article to we think is most telling?

• His coming out coincides with the release of his autobiography, Shattered Love.
• I'm not a romantic leading man any more so I don't need to nurture that public image.

I don't know him nor to I know the situation he was in but I think it's sad that his coming-out (and his staying-in) were, it appears, money driven. I respect anybody's right to privacy in their lives but being gay isn't a publicity stunt.