Children's author Jacqueline Wilson has publicly spoken about being gay, having been in a relationship with her partner for the last 18 years.
The writer, who is probably a bit of a hero for most of us, has spoken out about her private life for the first time, explaining that she has been living 'very happily' with her long-term partner Trish.
Speaking to The Guardian, the 74-year-old said: "I've never really been in any kind of closet. It would be such old news for anybody that has ever known anything much about me. Even the vaguest acquaintance knows perfectly well that we are a couple."
She also said that her mother had been 'appalled' by her relationship, adding: "That wasn't too devastating for me because my mum cordially hated my ex-husband; she didn't really approve of any of my friends."
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Jacqueline, who is most known for characters like Tracy Beaker, is about to release her latest book, Love Frankie, which tackles a love story between two girls, touching on bullying, separation and sibling rivalry.
Wilson, who used to be the children's laureate, said she wanted the new release to be 'a truthful, honest book about a girl falling in love with another girl. It's certainly not aimed at young gay teenagers, it's aimed at all teenagers who have ever worried because they haven't fallen in love, or they have fallen in love.'
She also said that she doesn't see herself as a mentor for teens who are struggling to understand their own sexuality.
Wilson explained: "I don't think that girls would ever want a grey-haired, wrinkly writer as a role model if they were wanting to feel good about maybe being gay. I'm sure they could find much more glamorous examples."
She previously spoke about her views on trans children.
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Speaking to The Telegraph, she said: "If there was a really strong reason for me wanting to write about a trans child then possibly. But I wouldn't want people to think I'd jumped on the bandwagon just because it's current and in the news.
"If only everybody could be and act exactly the way they want to but not actually try to change themselves physically, I think that would be easier
"Some people, right from the time that they are toddlers, are aware that something is wrong and they wish that they could be the other sex. But I'm also aware that some children feel strongly for a while and then they change their minds. I think it's a decision that has to be left a while until you are utterly mature and utterly certain you know all the actual consequences."
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