First look at Kelly Holmes: Being Me – as new documentary reveals Olympian’s mental health struggles

She recently described herself as “finally free” as she came out as gay after hiding it for more than 30 years.

And Dame Kelly Holmes, 52, will open up even further in her new documentary, Kelly Holmes: Being Me, which will air on itv this Sunday.

The documentary focuses on the emotional journey he has been on for the past three decades while hiding his sexuality and its impact on his mental health.

At first glance, the Olympic champion seems eager to talk as she gets personal, sitting at a table to meet her loved ones.

Another scene shows Dame Kelly in a room decorated with her winning newspaper articles, medals, and hits, as she stands solemnly in front of the collection.

The unique documentary is set to feature those closest to the runner and see her discuss personal issues that she has never previously spoken about publicly.

Speaking about the documentary on Instagram, Dame Kelly wrote: “The documentary taught me a lot about generational and social advancements when it comes to the LGBTQ+ world.

“I have been a bit unaware and ignorant about everything, but I hope one day to be an authoritative voice and also that my doctor helps many people on all levels,” he continued.

While she also shared, “It’s an emotional journey, I’m sure a lot of people will resonate with different parts of my story.”

‘Fear, Grief, Sport, Military, Mental Health, Family and the need for freedom to live their lives. I cried, smiled, laughed and cried and I’m sure you will too!

‘Please watch it, it tells the story of why it couldn’t be me, but how strong we all really are as people.’

In a new clip from the documentary, the Olympian admits she “lost her mind” when her mother Pam Norman died in 2017, adding that her mother would be “so proud” that she finally opens up about her sexuality.

Dame Kelly had spoken to her mother, and she explains that she “wanted it to always be me.” And I just couldn’t. She is consuming my life all the time, this worry and fear, which has been since I was a child.

The star appeared on This Morning on Monday, taking part in her first television interview since it premiered the following day.

Breaking out live on TV, she tragically admitted she “doesn’t feel like she’s ever been happy” but is now able to live her life authentically after years of hiding her sexuality in fear.

“The documentary was a way of articulating the fear that I have had for so many years and allowing me to have a platform to educate and inform people about the complexities of perhaps being gay as well. I have never said that before, that I am a gay woman, publicly on television,” she explained.

Continuing: ‘People don’t realize how hard that word is to say. I’m not ashamed and have been since I was 18, but it’s really hard when you’re documenting different parts of your life that you’ve had to keep inside.’

Host Holly explained that part of the reason Dame Kelly kept her sexuality a secret was because she was in the military and until 2000 it was illegal to be gay in the military.

Dame Kelly revealed, “You were read the rules on homosexuality in the military, that it was illegal to be gay, and you still can’t change who you are.” So I grew up with that fear in my head because I loved being a soldier in the army. It was something I really wanted to do.

“I was there for almost 10 years and yet I couldn’t express that. It was really difficult, because there was an interrogation that happened. In the documentary, I explain it a lot and talk to people who dealt with shocking things, but for me personally, having raids, it was scary, humiliating, embarrassing.

Kelly Holmes: Being Me airs Sunday at 10:20pm on ITV.