Jacqueline Wilson says it’s a ‘delight’ to be viewed as a gay icon after coming out

‘I’m very touched to be thought of as a gay icon’

Jacqueline Wilson has said it’s an “absolute delight” to be viewed as a gay icon after she came out.

The beloved children’s author, best known for being the creator of the Tracy Beaker books, announced in 2020 that she was in a long-term relationship with Trish Beswick.

Since then, she’s been pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction to her coming out.

Speaking to the BBC following the publication of her first adult novel, Wilson said: “I’m very touched to be thought of as a gay icon, it’s an absolute delight.”

She went on to say that whilst she probably won’t be “rampaging around with a rainbow flag” at the age of 78, she said “I highly applaud and approve of anyone who does.”

Back in 2020, Wilson she had been living “very happily” with her partner Trish.

The pair had met at a party after Wilson’s marriage broke down in her early 50s. Although they had been in a relationship for almost 20 years, it was the first time the author had spoken publicly about her partner.

She told the Guardian at the time: “I’ve never really been in any kind of closet. It would be such old news for anybody that has ever known anything much about me. Even the vaguest acquaintance knows perfectly well that we are a couple.”