Westlife star: "I'm gay"

Westlife singer Mark Feehily has admitted that he is gay.

In an interview with The Sun today, the 25-year-old said: "I want people to know the truth about my sexuality. I am gay and I'm very proud of who I am. I'm not asking for any sympathy, or to be a role model to anyone else.

"I simply felt it was the right time for me to let people know the truth. I've never tried to hide who I am from anyone, but I'm a very private person and in the past I haven't felt the need to say anything about my sexuality. But I want people to know I'm very comfortable with who I am."

The star added that the rest of the chart-topping group were aware of his sexuality and had "been there for me when I needed to talk things through."

Feehily is currently dating 21-year-old Kevin McDaid, former singer with the boyband V.