Elton John rang Keegan Hirst to say “You’re fabulous!”

It’s been an eventful week for Batley Bulldogs captain Keegan Hirst, who came out as gay last weekend. First, the public cheered him when he played his first match as rugby’s first openly gay British player. Then there was the outpouring of support from fans and celebrities.

Emma Watson said he had both physical and moral courage, while retired Welsh rugby star Gareth Thomas, who himself came out in 2009, said he was proud to see Hirst “playing the game that defines who he is”.

However, Hirst told the Mirror yesterday that the most bizarre moment was getting a phone call from none other than Sir Elton John.

When he got the call from a woman who claimed she was Elton John’s PA, Hirst thought it was a wind-up, but eventually he got to talk to the music legend, who told him, “Hi Keegan, it’s Elton. I think you’re fabulous!”

Hirst told the Mirror, “He said it’s good that I’m breaking down barriers and stereotypes. I was a bit lost for words, but we had a good chat. He was really supportive. It was a bit surreal. It’s amazing that Sir Elton John took the time to do that. It’s incredible.”

He added that John later sent him an email and told him to keep in touch. “He said that he would follow my story. He was a really nice guy,” Hirst said.

The Mirror article also revealed that Hirst’s mum, Wendy, felt betrayed at first when he came out to her – but not “in a homophobic way”, she said. “Just that he’s been my son for 27 years and I didn’t have an inkling. That’s what hurt.”

Mamma Hirst said she is starting to come to terms with her son’s sexual orientation. She said, “I’m still getting things right in my head, but in the end he’s still my boy. I’ve always been very proud of Keegan and always will be.”