Like Frank Maloney, Bronwyn spent most of her life trapped in the wrong body

When boxing legend Frank Maloney revealed a new life as a woman called Kellie earlier this week after 60 years as a man, Bronwyn Driver really felt like she could relate.

Bronwyn was born Brian but spent the next 33 years hiding the secret that he felt trapped in the wrong body.

Bronwyn is now living as a woman (PA)

It was only seeing his dying mum pack more into her last eight months than he had in his whole lifetime, that inspired Brian to be true to himself – and become a woman.

So after his mum Mary lost her battle to lung cancer in January 2012, the filing clerk from Manchester finally told his family that he was going to start living as a woman called Brownyn.

“I suddenly realised life’s too short to be unhappy,” she says. “I had to be honest with myself and everyone else. I wanted to be a woman.”

Bronwyn as Brian before her transformation (PA)

Growing up as a boy, Bronwyn was bullied at school for not liking football. She’d feel envious when her sisters, Sharon, Karen and Gail, wore pretty dresses, although at the time she didn’t understand why.

“One day, I sneaked into Karen’s room and stole one,” the 35-year-old confesses. “Slipping it on once everyone was asleep, I admired how I looked, finally feeling beautiful.”

Confused and desperately wanting to fit in, Bronwyn tried to bury her feelings. But it didn’t go away and when she was 19 she came across a programme about a man who dressed as a woman.

Brian as a child (PA)

“I’d never seen anything like it, but suddenly everything made sense. I had gender dysphoria. I was meant to be a woman.”

But terrified that no-one would accept her, Bronwyn continued to hide her true feelings. She worked long hours and played video games in her free time so she didn’t have to socialise.

“While other people my age were out on the town, I stayed in alone,” she says. “I felt safe in my bubble. But years passed and I grew miserable and lonely. Occasionally I’d buy a silky blouse, flustering to the shop assistant that it was for my sister.”

It was Bronwyn’s mum Mary that inspired her, with dad Allan (PA)

Shy Bronwyn never wore the pretty clothes outside her own house. But everything changed in May 2011 when her beloved mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Her dying wish was to spend her final months doing the things she enjoyed, like going to the races and a family holiday to Southport.

“After she passed away, I was absolutely devastated,” Bronwyn says. “But I took comfort that my lasting memories were of Mum having fun. Then it hit me – Mum had done more in her last eight months, than I had in my 33 years.

Bronwyn is living as a woman after 33 years as Brian (PA)

“I finally told friends and family the truth, expecting them to look horrified or laugh. But to my surprise they fully supported me.”

So with renewed confidence, she grew her hair long and changed her name by deed poll.

Last May, she started taking hormones to help her look more feminine, and now she’s speaking to doctors about having surgery next year.

Bronwyn with transgender friend Stephanie (PA)

Bronwyn says: “My sister Karen recently said that since my transition I’m the happiest she’s ever known me. It’s true. I feel like I’m getting a second chance at life.

“I just hope Mum’s looking down at me, proud of the woman I’ve become.”