Bruce Jenner, the former Olympian and stepfather of the Kardashian sisters, gave an interview on US television last night with Diane Sawyer.

During the interview, Jenner announced that he was "for all intents and purposes, a woman" and that he is currently transgender.

Jenner explained that he prefers, for the moment, the pronoun of 'he' and 'him' and we'll keep to that for this article.

In his interview, the reality TV star explained how he had left this part of his life unexplored and that it was something he felt he had to do.

It's understood that Jenner began gender reassignment during the 1980's, by taking hormones to reduce the size of his nose and remove hair. He then gave it up and returned to it in the past six months.

He went on, saying that his "brain is more female than male", that he isn't gay. For the moment, Jenner said he was unsure if he was was take on gender reassignment surgery.

Jenner's family have been supportive on Twitter, with almost all posting messages of support.

Ellen DeGeneres, Mike Tyson, Oprah Winfrey, George Cox and Laverne Cox from Orange Is The New Black came forward in support of Jenner.

Bruce Jenner's reality TV show, which will chart Jenner's transition, will begin on E! Channel in July.