RENT-BOY BLOG: JAMES SMALL SPEAKS OUT

One of South Africa’s best known sport stars and celebrity sex symbol, James Small, has spoken out about being named as an alleged client in the controversial rent boy blog.

Talking to David O’Sullivan on Johannesburg radio station 702 on Tuesday, an upset Small said that he was compelled to respond to the allegations that he had used the services of a male prostitute after his name was mentioned by a radio station.

The majority of South Africa media have avoided naming those implicated in the blog – said to be written by a former rent-boy – for fear of themselves becoming entangled in any future slander litigation.

Small denied that there was any truth to the statements about him on the blog. “I haven’t read more rubbish in my life,” he said, adding that, “It’s sad that somebody like this is living some kind of sick fantasy.”

He expressed frustration with the fact that the blog’s author has refused to reveal his identity: “The anonymity is frustrating – if they open their mouth they should do so with confidence.”

The former Springbok, who has been in the news as much for his rugby career as for his good looks and personal life, added that he is planning to take action against the website and its author, and that he had contacted the police and his attorneys. He said that he is most concerned about the impact of the blog on his three year old daughter.

The blogger, who has answered a number of questions on his website, has denied that he is the notorious Juan Uys, although he states that he has no intention of revealing his identity. He again claimed to be resident in Australia, but said that he is currently in South Africa for a short visit.

He goes on to write that he does not want to make any money out of his “revelations” and that he has signed an agreement with a producer to appear in a television programme in which he will tell his story, adding that he would not be paid for this.

The blog has added another four names to the list of the alleged clients, including the editor of a gay publication, a television presenter, and in a bizarre turn, Juan Uys.

Interestingly, Uys, under the guise of different aliases, has previously discredited himself through media statements in an attempt to distance his various organisations from his past.