Former partner of Wales rugby legend Gareth Thomas describes ITV as 'hypocrites' over his World Cup role in wake of Phillip Schofield scandal... less than a year after pundit agreed £75k settlement with the man who accused him of infecting him with HIV

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The former partner of Welsh rugby legend Gareth Thomas has described how it 'feels like another kick in the teeth' to watch ITV's World Cup coverage less than a year after the pundit agreed to pay him £75,000 to end a protracted legal battle between the two men. 

Ian Baum accused Thomas of hiding his HIV status during their three-year relationship and the 49-year-old eventually settled for the sum plus costs in January 2023 for the sake of his 'mental health' and that of his family's. 

Thomas insisted that the move was 'not an admission of liability or guilt' as he ended the £150,000 suit Baum against him, and added: 'I maintain my innoncence in all meritless allegations'. 

Baum claimed that Thomas had failed to take 'reasonable care' before allegedly passing on the virus to him, as well as accusing him of coercive control.

Whilst it is not a legal requirement to disclose your HIV status to your partner, NHS guidelines suggest that it is 'strongly recommended'. 

Ian Baum, the former partner of Gareth Thomas, has described watching the Wales legend on ITV as 'another kick in the teeth'

The broadcaster has hired the former winger (far right) as part of its Rugby World Cup team

In an interview with the Times, Baum urged ITV to consider their position over former This Morning host Philip Schofield compared to their hiring of Thomas for the tournament, calling them 'hypocrites'. 

'It feels like another kick in the teeth,' Baum said when asked about how it felt to watch Thomas on punditry duty. 'Part of me wants to keep my head down because the last eight years have been so hard fighting him. 

'But then I hear about the profile he’s been given and wonder, "Why is no one asking the questions?" Not just of him but also the Terrence Higgins Trust, ITV, Channel 4.

'ITV are such hypocrites when you consider how they dealt with Phillip Schofield. Does anyone know exactly what he did wrong? He’s been dumped and humiliated. But Gareth Thomas is on at the World Cup, as well as this SAS show, and television gives him a free pass. Does no one think to look at this?'

Schofield resigned from the ITV programme earlier this year for having an 'unwise but not illegal' relationship with a young male runner, and is yet to return to the broadcaster. 

Thomas is currently featuring on Channel 4's Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins, and has spoken in detail about his experiences living with HIV. 

The Terence Higgins Trust patron discussed how he had been 'subject to so much s**t but (he refuses) to be the victim.'

In August 2022 whilst Baum and Thomas' case was ongoing, Thomas admitted that he didn't tell his former partner that he had HIV when the pair started their relationship in October 2013, but denied passing the virus to Baum. 

It was alleged he only found out Thomas had HIV when he found a GSK1 tablet - the antiviral HIV medication - and Baum then tested positive. 

HIV transmission can be prosecuted in England and Wales under the section on grevious bodily harm, should the carrier pass on the virus. 

Baum stressed that the settlement 'does not end everything', adding that after eight years, he is 'mentally exhausted'. 

The 49-year-old (above) is currently featuring on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins on Channel 4

Former England international Andy Goode has also raised an eyebrow over Thomas' ITV role

'I struggle to talk about it even now,' Baum continued. 'But if I don't, who will?' 

Former England international Andy Goode shared last week that he believes it is 'immoral' of the broadcaster to include Thomas on their World Cup punditry. 

Posting on X (formerly Twitter) Goode wrote: 'It's actually immoral that Gareth Thomas is on our TV screens, imagine a straight man doing what he did, they wouldn't get another TV gig ever'. 

Thomas had been on the punditry team for Australia's clash with Wales, which saw Warren Gatland's side stun the Wallabies in a 40-6 win.