Craig Maxwell-Keys, one of the Gallagher Premiership’s top referees, has revealed publicly he is gay.

The 29-year-old Gloucestershire-based official, who has also taken charge of matches at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship and European Challenge Cup, came out to his family and friends three years ago and has now decided to tell the wider world as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign which seeks to promote greater understanding of LGBT issues.

Maxwell-Keys revealed that he was inspired to make his announcement by Welsh international referee Nigel Owens, who came out in 2007, and Saracens and England Sevens player Sam Stanley, who is also gay.

“The Rainbow Laces campaign brings back into the headlines stories from Nigel Owens and Sam Stanley and their coming out stories,” Maxwell-Keys told Wales Online.

“While I was in the closet they were a source of support and comfort. It made it really clear to me while I was struggling to accept who I was, you could be part of elite sport.”