I still suffer from bulimia, says referee Owens

Owens, international rugby's first openly gay referee, was quoted on Sunday saying the eating disorder had crossed over into his professional life as recently as last month.

(Reuters)

The 46-year-old is a highly respected official in rugby, and was the referee for the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Twickenham.

However, ahead of the airing of a BBC Panorama programme focussed on eating disorders among men, the Welshman said that during England's tour of Argentina in June, where he was officiating, his bulimia returned.

"I thought I was in control but since making the Panorama programme, I've realised I'm not," he said on the BBC website (www.bbc.com).

"I came back from refereeing the England summer tour in Argentina a few weeks ago. While I was out there, I made myself sick three to four times."

(Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Toby Davis)