Ex-rugby star Gavin Henson opens up on surprising health diagnosis
01/27/2025 11:33 AM
Former Wales rugby star Gavin Henson says that he is on the autism spectrum.
Henson, who earned 33 caps for his country, opened up on how autism makes him a ‘poor friend’ as he rarely keeps in touch with his teammates.
"They're always watching something from me," Henson said on The Big Jim Show podcast.
"So it’s not really like a friendship, I suppose, with some of the ex-rugby boys. I’m a poor friend.
"I am on the autism spectrum, so that’s my excuse. It’s just the way I am; it’s nothing personal. I can be a little bit odd.
"It’s not like I’ve gone out and made a new friend. I struggle with socialising that way unless I’ve had a drink."
While Gavin admits he hasn’t received an official medical diagnosis, he described a journey of self-discovery, revealing that he has spoken with individuals who have suggested he may be autistic.
"For coaches and players throughout the years, it probably makes sense to them,” Henson added.
"I think people found it hard to understand me. I’m a little bit different.
"And they always liked to try and mould you into the group, and I learned how to do that and fake it, to be a part of the team and fit in so that I’d play on the weekend."
Gavin previously dated Church from 2005, with the couple announcing their engagement two months before their split in 2010. The couple share two children, Ruby and Dexter, who are 17 and 16 years old respectively.
Church said at the time: "The problem was we were such different people in every way.
"That was amazing at the start, as we were always teaching each other new things. Then we were just too different.
"Different beliefs in everything. His world was alien to me. All that training, he’s so strict with what he eats and what time he goes to sleep.
"And my life was alien to him. I don’t think it was about arguing. I think one day we just thought, ‘What are we doing?'”
Henson's rugby career spanned from 2000 to 2019, during which he played for various clubs, including Llanelli, Swansea RFC, the Ospreys, Saracens, Toulon, Cardiff Blues, London Welsh, Bath, Bristol, and the Dragons.
He also represented Wales at the international level, earning 33 caps and achieving Grand Slam success in the 2005 and 2008 Six Nations Championships.
Henson was known for his versatility, excelling as a fly-half, fullback, and inside centre.
Meanwhile, he toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2005 to New Zealand.
After being released by the Dragons at the end of the 2018/19 season, Henson took the bold step of retiring to purchase a pub.
In May 2019, he became the landlord of The Fox and Hounds in St Brides Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, later choosing to shorten the name to simply 'The Fox.'
