I spent five years as a closet naturist – this is what made me finally come out

‘Contrary to what people think, naturists aren’t weirdos,’ says Tony (Picture: Getty Images)

For a long time, Tony Macinnes dreamed of taking his clothes off and going outside.   

‘I thought about it for years, but my partner at the time wasn’t interested. In fact, she was quite against it,’ explains the 70-year-old.

So, instead, whenever he was home alone, Tony would strip down and enjoy the naked solitude. 

‘If there was nobody else around, I would take my clothes off whenever I could get away with it,’ he recalls. ‘I knew there was nothing wrong with it. Contrary to what people think, naturists aren’t weirdos.’

Naturism is a popular, if som...