Kanye helped Kim understand Bruce Jenner's transition

Former athlete and TV personality Bruce Jenner says Kanye West helped his wife and Bruce's stepdaughter Kim Kardashian West understand why he had chosen to undergo a gender transition.

The 65-year-old Olympian, who confirmed on Friday that he had transitioned into a woman, recalled the conversation the rapper had with his wife, which he says helped Kim come to terms with his transition.

"They were talking about it and (Kanye) says to Kim, 'Look, I can be married to the most beautiful woman in the world, and I am. I can have the most beautiful little daughter in the world, and I have that. But I'm nothing if I can't be me. If I can't be true to myself, they don't mean anything'.

"Since then, Kim has been by far the most accepting, and the easiest to talk to about it," he said in an interview with ABC.

Bruce, who declined to reveal what his new name would now be, decided to tell his son Brandon first about the gender transition.

Since the interview has aired, Bruce's family has taken to social media to show their support for the star.

His former wife Kris Jenner wrote on Twitter: "Not only was I able to call him my husband for 25 years and father of my children, I am now able to call him my hero. (sic)."

His 17-year-old daughter Kylie wrote: "Understandingly, this has been very hard for me. You will hear what I have to say when I'm ready to but this isn't about me. I'm so proud of you, Dad. You are so brave. My beautiful Hero."