Tommy Fleming’s fans came out in force to support him at his first gig after coming out as gay in a tell-all interview on Friday.

The folk singer said he received the ‘longest introduction cheer’ he’d ever had on stage at the Riverbank Arts Theatre in Newbridge, Co Kildare, on Saturday night.

Tommy’s supporters appear to be standing firmly behind him as it was revealed that he split from his wife, Tina Mitchell, after 20 years of marriage.

Tina also acted as his manager for the majority of the singer’s career. His new manager, Kathy Cullinan, told The Irish Sun: ‘Tommy walked out on stage, and the place erupted.

‘It was the most incredible audience. Sometimes people know you need support, and the crowd went the extra mile to support Tommy.’

Tommy’s revelation came after a recorded conversation between him and Tina was leaked and began to circulate on social media.

Tommy addressed his infidelity as he spoke to Ciara Kelly on NewsTalk in, saying: ‘How my train of thought would have been, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a woman or a man…

‘If you’re looking and you’re going, you’re looking to stray, it’s gone, it’s over.

‘Simple, and that’s where I was with that, and as the years went on, and the relationship drifted, the relationship had different directions.’

The singer’s stepdaughter, Rebecca, spoke to EVOKE about how the family is hurting following the controversy surrounding the attention they have received since the story broke.