Sara Gilbert credits Johnny Galecki with helping her come to terms with sexuality

Sara Gilbert has credited her ex-boyfriend Johnny Galecki with helping her embrace her sexuality while they were still in a relationship.

Gilbert spoke candidly about Galecki in an episode of U.S. series The Talk on Thursday (12Sep13), admitting she would become "depressed" after she and her former Roseanne co-star kissed.

She recalls, "I thought he was super cute and I had a total crush on him. And we started dating and he would come over and we would, like, make out, and then I would start to get depressed."

The star, who is now engaged to singer Linda Perry, eventually 'came out' to Galecki and she insists he was "super sweet about it".

Gilbert explains, "I started dating a woman who was like 18 years older than I was, who was also in the public eye. It was something people could have found out about. Like no one knew at the show for years, and Johnny held the secret the whole time. And I always felt so scared. If it came out, what could happen? Could I lose my career? Will I ever be able to play a straight role again?"

The 38 year old is still friends with The Big Bang Theory star and even phoned him up to ask for permission to talk about their romance on U.S. TV: "I called him and I just said, 'Is it OK - I'm thinking of talking about this... The story sort of starts with you. And I've got to say I made out with you and got depressed, which is kind of a bummer.

"(He said) 'Of course. I love you and I think it's really important and I'm so proud of you... If you want, I will be there and I will hold your hand.' It was so sweet, and this story really makes Johnny look good...

"I want people to know there can still be a struggle with it and that's OK. It's a process and there can be a part of you that doesn't want to feel different or feel scared."