So far, this 'out of the closet' show - made, perhaps surprisingly, by Dutch Roman Catholic broadcaster KRO - has been warmly welcomed by much of the country's gay community. Coming out is an important life experience for nearly all homosexuals. However, some have questioned young Theo's decision to have such an intimate and emotional moment televised. Apparently he chose to have the moment recorded live for television because it helped him make the decision.

Henk Krol, editor of Dutch bi-monthly magazine De Gay Krant, comments "I'm getting two kinds of reactions. People who found it touching and felt it strengthened their resolve to come out themselves. And people who say, is this really the right way, turning a private moment into a television show? But even they say the programme helped them go further. It's a difficult moment for all homosexuals. Straights never have to explain that they're straight. "

The Netherlands has always been in the forefront of gay emancipation. It was the first country in the world to allow same-sex couples to marry - that was nearly ten years ago in April 2001. Krol believes this programme could play a similar role. He is convinced it will increase understanding for the situation faced by many young homosexuals.

"Don't forget that here in the Netherlands we have more and more people from other cultures who are gay. They are often in a much more difficult position. They are often accused of having been infected by some terrible western disease. There is still plenty of work to do."