Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - celebs Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The army's first transgender officer has revealed what it was like coming out to her peers.

During an appearance on ITV's Lorraine, Abi Austen - the world's first soldier to fully transition from man to woman - opened up to Amanda Holden about life in Afghanistan.

"I served there with both the British and American army for about four-and-a-half years," she said.

"Ten years ago, when I served, it was a very different world. The army didn't have provision for people like me and so I had to leave - that's on record. But I'm so proud of my generation and what they have sacrificed because now we can debate these issues.

READ MORE:Transgender headteacher's 55-year struggle and barbaric attempt to cure her

(Image: ITV)

"People are openly discussing it, which means young people can talk freely about what they decide for their identity. People like myself led the struggle to get to where we are now.

"We have changed the perception of the LGBT community. There's a lot of terminology being used at the moment, like gender fluid, bigender. My personal opinion is I hope it all settles down and we learn to just see people as human beings rather than labels.

"It's lovely after ten years we are finally able to have discussions like this."

(Image: ITV)

After leaving the army and transitioning into a woman, Abi went on to become the world's first transgender war correspondent.

On Channel 4 this Friday, she is hosting a special episode of Unreported World.

In the programme, she jets back to Afghanistan and reunites with officers she used to serve with on the front line.

(Image: John Moore/Getty Images)

"It was really dangerous making the film," she added. "On our final mission, the helicopter that was following behind us was shot down.

"I feel that the British and American armies pulled out of Afghanistan too early. Everything we fought for is now controlled by the Taliban.

"We are now seeing it descend into chaos. At the moment, it's unlikely the country will survive unless we intervene."

Unreported World is on Channel 4, Friday at 7.30pm.