London Today– Gay rugby star Gareth Thomas and Christian Louboutin have spoken for the first time about their “bromance”, which began when the shoemaker sent the sportsman a pair of custom-made slip-ons after he came out.

The tan shoes – embroidered with replicas of the Welsh fullback’s tattoos – marked the start of a seemingly unlikely friendship.

Louboutin got in touch with Thomas after he became one of the most high-profile “out” sportsmen in the world in December 2009.

Describing his surprise as he received the shoes, Thomas, 36, said: “I like to think I’m doing my bit to help, but who am I in this world? I’m not really somebody super-special so for somebody to take the time out to do something like that…”

After exchanging emails, the pair met in Wales and spent the day walking around Cardiff city centre and along the coastline.

Thomas said: “I come down on the train to London, and I’m looking forward to seeing him, thinking of all the things I can say.”

Louboutin said: “We chat about sport. Though I am completely, shamelessly an individualist, and he is a great team player in every way.”

Thomas added: “And shoes. These days I own more of Louby’s shoes than I do rugby boots.”

In an interview with ES Magazine, Louboutin also told how he has sued fashion house Yves Saint Laurent for breach of copyright after it brought out shoes featuring his famous red soles.

He said: “I have the biggest respect for the house of Yves Saint Laurent. Having discussed the matter with them and not been able to reach an agreement, we have had to take this to court.

“My company has a trademark on the red sole and if we don’t enforce it this would leave the door open for other brands to copy us while jeopardising the identity of the Louboutin red sole.

“No one before me has ever used a coloured sole to define a brand’s identity. The red sole has become widely recognised as the distinct sign of my brand in the eyes of women all over the world.”