Here’s a selection of the most high-profile personalities to speak publicly...
1. Elton John
“Congratulations Jake Daniels. A courageous and game-changing statement. At seventeen, he has hopefully changed the face of football forever. Bravo” Photo: Ian West
2. Ian McKellen
“At 17, Jake Daniels represents a generation that rejects old-fashioned homophobia in football and elsewhere: those who haven’t yet grown up as he has. He sets an example. No wonder so many of us, gay and everyone else, admire & treasure him as a hero. What a goal he's scored!” Photo: Jeff Spicer
3. Matt Lucas
“It's a landmark day in British LGBT history. Brilliant, brave Jake Daniels - a professional Championship footballer with Blackpool FC - has come out. Huge respect to you, Jake, and to your club and teammates for supporting you.” Photo: JPI Media
4. Joe Lycett
“It was a properly amazing moment. Hopefully it will open the door to others because statistically there will be loads of gay players in the Premier League and it’s appalling that footballers feel the sport - commercially - will be a place where they won’t be welcomed. It’s a problem for the fans and a problem for the squads as everyone, but it could open up football to a whole different market. To me, football doesn’t necessarily feel like a place where I will feel welcome.” Photo: Mark Milan
5. Susanna Reid
“This shouldn’t have to be a brave thing to do, but we know that even in 2022 it is. Takes huge courage to be your real self. Good on you Jake.” Photo: Ian West
6. Gary Lineker
"Well played, Jake Daniels. It’s been a brilliant season for you on the pitch and now through your bravery, off the pitch too. I’m sure you’ll receive huge love and support from the football community and many others will follow your path. Good luck to you. I honestly think that, aside from a few homophobic morons, football will be incredibly welcoming and enormously supportive towards a gay footballer. It’s long overdue for a player to ‘come out’ even though it’s ridiculous that it’s even necessary. A footballer is a footballer.” Photo: Marc Atkins