Joe McElderry Comes Out

August 03, 2010

Weeks after his Twitter account was hacked into and messages were posted saying he was gay, X Factor winner Joe McElderry has come out, and he says the prankster incident was his inspiration.

Last month, hackers wrote on McElderry’s Twitter page: "It's been difficult living a lie for so many years…"

Joe McElderry

The singer publicly denied he was gay.

That all changed when he came out on his official website.

'I have always been a very honest person and so it is important for me to continue to be honest.

"It has been the most amazing year so far and I feel so privileged. It’s also been a time of real self realisation and I feel as if I have grown up so much in these few months.

"There has been speculation about my sexuality in the past and I have always been honest at the time I have been asked.

"Over the past few weeks I have really had time to reflect and to realise who I am. I spoke to my friends and family about this in the last few days and it was important to do the same for you all as you have been so supportive.

"I have had nothing but support from you and many of you have been very open in saying that you will continue to support me whatever my sexuality. It is important to me to let you know first, so that you know the stories in the papers are true. I made the choice to speak openly about this.'

He added: "Everything is going well and I’m really happy to be able to move forward from here.”

He came out to the Sun, where he said: "I think the Twitter thing was the point when I realised I was gay. I'm feeling good about it, it's liberating. Now I can just get on with my life."

McElderry had a girlfriend in high school but was the subject of homophobic abuse from his peers.

Simon Cowell, one of the judges on X Factor, said he supports the singer.

McElderry’s debut album is set to be released in October.

Image source: JonathanLGardner