A transgender man who was trapped in female body for two decades is celebrating his first Christmas since revealing his true identity.

Alex Worthington, 28, from Birmingham, grew up female as Kellie - but after over 20 years of hiding his true gender, he has finally found the confidence to live his life as a man.

The former retail worker says that he knew from the age of five years old that he was stuck in the wrong body.

Alex Worthington (right, pictured with his girlfriend Cat Preston, left) is looking forward to enjoying his first Christmas as a transgender male after hiding his gender identity for 20 years

Unsure of how to deal with his secret in his early 20s, then known as Kellie, he told his friends and family that he was gay.

But it wasn't until January this year that Alex decided to reveal the truth to girlfriend of three years, Cat Preston, 38.

Thankfully she fully supported his decision to transition into a man and their relationship has remained strong.

Alex is yet to undergo his gender reassignment operation - something that will be provided by the NHS.

Alex said that being able to enjoy the festive period in the right body is a huge relief.

He said: 'This will be my first Christmas where I'm able to be myself, a male and it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Alex, who grew up female as Kellie, says he was aware that he was male from the age of five

Alex says that he never enjoyed living as a female as a child and was always a tomboy

'For the first time I can buy from men's section in shops and be called Alex, not Kellie.'

He continued to say that having lived a lie for so many years of his life he is excited to begin the new year finally as his true self.

He continued: 'I knew from the age of five that I wasn't the same as other girls. I wasn't interested in girly clothes or toys and I dressed like a tom boy.

'I told my family that I was gay in my early 20s but I knew deep down that it wasn't the truth. I was just trapped in the wrong body and I was attracted to females as I was in fact a man.

'It was such a confusing and difficult time but I feel as though my life has just started now, I can't wait to start my transition in 2016.'

Alex has been referred to a gender clinic in Northampton and will start taking male hormones from early next year.

This will only be the start of his transition, something that could later lead to gender reassignment surgery.

Alex added: 'I want to get rid of my chest as soon as I can, I hate having to try and hide my boobs in tops.

In January this year Alex made the decision to reveal his true gender identity to his family and friends

When he was 20, and still living as Kellie, Alex told his family he was gay as he was not yet able to diclose his true identity. Pictured (left and right) Alex when he was living as Kellie

'Now that everyone knows I'm transgender I want to make myself appear as male as possible.

'I will start testosterone injections next year which I'm excited about, I can't wait to get a deep voice and grow facial hair.'

Alex chose to wear trousers and shirts over skirts and dresses as she became a teenager - and by her 20s she had cut her long blonde hair off into a short style.

Alex added: 'I hated my appearance in the mirror as I turned into a woman.

'I wanted to become a man and would often find myself feeling jealous of those who were born male. It didn't seem fair that I was a man born into a female body, I had no idea who I was.

'It wasn't until I began researching "girl wants to become a boy" online that I realised I was a transgender.

'My identity was eating away at me and it was only a few months ago that I started living life as a man.

'I was so happy when I could finally become Alex, of course it was a shock to everyone at first but I've had nothing but support from those closest to me.'

Alex added that he has been especially appreciative of the support he has received from girlfriend Cat since he told her his life changing news.

Alex told his girlfriend Cat in the park and she was extremely supportive of his news

'It has made my life 100 times better and it's great that Cat has chosen to stay with me too.

'I drove her to a local park to tell her the news. I had really built myself up about telling her and I wanted to try and make it romantic. But instead I just blurted out, "I'm a man," as soon as we pulled up.

'At first she was really confused but when I explained how I'd locked my feelings in for so long she was really supportive.

'I wanted to dress and look like a man, I was tired of being trapped as a female. Cat just said that she loved me whether I was male or female and that there was no reason to end our relationship.'

Cat added: 'When Alex just blurted out she wanted to be a man, I was taken aback.

'I had never thought Kellie felt that way but he had always been quite laddish in personality since we'd met.

'When he was driving me to the park I started to feel nervous, he seemed tense and wouldn't tell me why we were driving away from our home.

Alex will begin to take testosterone in the new year and this could lead to reassignment surgery

'After Alex shared the news we hugged and shared a few tears, it was life-changing but I loved Kellie whether he was female or male so I fully supported the decision.

'I'm so proud he found the courage to tell me that day.

'Since then our relationship has been even stronger, I cut his hair into a short laddish style which was a tense moment but it helped aid his transition.

'If you passed him in the street you'd never know he was born female as he wears male clothing as well.

'This is just the start of his transition but once he starts on male hormones he will grow facial hair and his voice will become deeper.'

Alex says that he is looking forward to his first Christmas as a male and is anticipating finally receiving gifts that he actually wants.

He is looking forward to Christmas and especially the fact that he will finally get presents that he wants

He said: 'This is the first Christmas I'm actually able to enjoy as a man, I haven't asked for anything specific but it'll be great knowing that all the gifts I do receive aren't for a female.

'This year I'll have things such as boxers and aftershave, and to me that is amazing.'

Despite Alex only starting his transition into a male this January, he is already hoping to help others.

Alex added: 'I'm currently raising money to tour the UK so I can speak to other people who are transgender.

'I want to meet people I've spoken to online so we can build a community of support.

'It's difficult transitioning from female to male with many ups and downs so it would be great to be able to share those with the people I meet along the way.