Michael Gunning expresses heartbreak over friendship fallout
Olympic swimmer Michael Gunning has revealed he was left “broken” by friends who abandoned him, posting the emotional message just days before Adam Peaty’s wedding to Holly Ramsay, reports BritPanorama.
The 31-year-old gold medallist reflected on a turbulent year, noting he had experienced “incredible new opportunities” while grappling with personal losses and changes. In a heartfelt social media post, Gunning acknowledged the painful departure of friends, suggesting he has felt significant emotional impact from these relationships.
Gunning and Peaty share a history as teammates on the Team GB squad, with Gunning representing both Great Britain and Jamaica throughout his swimming career. He made headlines as the first openly gay and mixed-race swimmer in the UK and has previously praised Peaty for his support of the LGBTQ+ community.
The relationship between Gunning and Peaty reportedly soured after Gunning maintained ties with Adam’s estranged mother, Caroline. Sources indicate that he was uninvited to the lavish wedding ceremony at Bath Abbey, which was attended by many from the Peaty family. The fallout from the wedding has not only affected familial relationships but has also left Gunning feeling deeply hurt, especially given the support he offered Peaty during the latter’s struggles with mental health and depression.
An insider noted that their friendship began to deteriorate following the couple’s engagement celebration in December 2024. The complexity of personal ties within the family context seems to have affected Gunning profoundly, leading him to express feelings of betrayal and sadness over the change in dynamics. As Gunning himself put it, “Adam really has broken us all by acting this way.”
In expressing his feelings, Caroline also underscored the emotional toll of exclusion from the wedding, stating, “I don’t think they understand how much they have hurt me; it’s as if they have cut my heart out.” Following her exclusion, Peaty, now using the name Adam Ramsay Peaty, released a statement suggesting there are always two sides to every story.
The unfolding situation signifies how personal relationships within the world of elite sport can complicate with public dynamics, reflecting on the pressures faced by athletes off the podium. The faint whispers of friendship lost amidst the bright lights of competition show that even among champions, the heart can take centre stage in ways that might not always meet the eye.
