Underwood and Roberts on GMA (Image via ABC)

Colton Underwood, the former NFL player who was famous for being a virgin while starring on Season 23 of ABC's The Bachelor, came out as gay on Wednesday in an emotional interview with Good Morning America's Robin Roberts, who herself came out as a lesbian in 2013.

Underwood, shaking with emotion, said:

I've ran from myself for a long time, I've hated myself for a long time and I'm — gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it.

Roberts said she could see joy in his statement, but he looked terrified to me, so I hope this is a first step away from pain for the poor guy. He also revealed:

I got into a place, for me in my personal life, that was dark and bad and I can list a bunch of different things, but they'd all be excuses ... I got to a place where I didn't think I was ever going to share this. I would've rather died than say, I'm gay.

He attempted suicide:

There was a moment in L.A. when I woke up and I didn't think I was gonna wake up. I didn't have the intentions of waking up — and I did. And I think for me, that was like my wake-up call of, like, This is your life. Take back control.

The executive producers of The Bachelor reacted with support, saying via a statement:

We are so inspired by Colton Underwood’s courage to embrace and pursue his authentic self. As firm believers in the power of love, we celebrate Colton’s journey in the LGBTQIA+ community every step of the way.

Underwood has had a bumpy ride since the show ended, including a broken engagement with Bachelor contestant Cassie Randolph. He apologized to her during the interview, admitting that having feelings for her made coming to terms with being gay all the messier.

Well... @BillyEichner knew it all along pic.twitter.com/WMRJDT0yrD

— Yann (@yannhatchuel) April 14, 2021

That relationship ended, and was complicated when Randolph filed for a restraining order against Underwood for stalking. It was resolved amicably.

Watch a long clip after the jump: