gay says he was brought to tears when his news was met by an 'eruption of applause' from 'proud' students. Colin Scott made his announcement to pupils during an assembly to mark the start of Pride Week at Risedale Secondary School in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire.
The 54-year-old says since coming out, his phone has been ringing non-stop with calls from 'hugely positive' friends, family, students, parents and members of the press.
His story has touched the hearts of many and been covered by various national news outlets - even making it stateside and into the US press.Yorkshire Live spoke to Mr Scott about his life-changing week and how his decision to 'be himself' is helping to empower others.
Mr Scott grew up in Hebburn, South Tyneside, in the 1980s "when being gay was not really talked about and very much stigmatised".He left school at 16 and joined the Navy in 1984.