Exclusive by Clemmie Moodie

Joe McElderry has revealed he is gay, declaring: “I’m really happy, I now know who I am.”

The 19-year-old X Factor winner made the brave decision to come out in an emotional interview with the Mirror, just a week after telling his mum.

Joe has always denied rumours he was gay, but insisted the reason was he didn’t know himself until recently.

He added: “I’ve had time to think about things. I wasn’t attracted to anyone anyway, male or female. It never really entered my head I was gay. But I just know. It’s how I feel.”

X Factor 2009: Joe McElderry (Pic:Splashnews.com)

He's been the subject of intense scrutiny over his sexuality ever since his sensational X Factor win.

And Joe McElderry has always insisted he was straight.

But the 19-year-old has now bravely decided to tell the world he is gay – and the denials were down to the fact he never knew himself, until three weeks ago.

And he said he is comfortable with his decision to come out publicly, declaring: “I’m happy. I now know who I am.”

In a frank and emotional Mirror interview, X Factor winner Joe revealed he has yet to have a relationship with a boy and has only kissed one so far. He came out a week after telling his mum, who has pledged her support, along with Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole.

Relaxing in the garden of his Central London flat, Joe said: “I’m so happy. It’s all been so recent to be honest. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve had time to think and come to realise who I am. I have grown up a lot.

“I know it sounds crazy but before then, I was so busy. It hadn’t even crossed my mind. I only told my mum last week, on a train.

“She was fine, great even. She’d actually asked us in the past, not because she thought I was gay but because she’s a supportive mum.

“She’d say, ‘I don’t care if you have a girlfriend or boyfriend’. My family have been so supportive”

Joe said his only dalliance with a boy was in his home town of South Shields last year. He was a gay friend.

Joe said: “I’ve kissed lots of girls but only one boy. I thought, ‘Oh, that’s weird, maybe that’s what happens.’ I didn’t know what it meant. It was nothing serious, just a one-off thing.” The pair are no longer in contact.

As soon as he won X Factor last year rumours about Joe’s sexuality spread like wildfire. This month someone hacked into his Twitter account to “out” him. But he always said: “I’m straight.”

Joe insisted his denials were not lies. He added: “Every time I was asked, I gave honest answers. I wasn’t attracted to anyone anyway, male or female. It never really entered my head I was gay.

“I’m single, I’ve not had a relationship with a boy, but I just know. It’s how I feel. The Twitter thing actually helped because I realised I wasn’t that bothered, and the penny dropped.”

Joe told how Simon phoned from his yacht in the Med to offer his backing. He added: “Simon was 100% supportive. I’ve spoken to Cheryl but with her being ill, it’s not really been a priority to tell her. But I guess she’ll read this and she’ll be really happy for me.

“I’m not worried about how fans will react. They have always said they’ll back me no matter what. Everyone’s been really kind so I would like to thank them and your readers for all the support."

If Joe has any misconceptions being gay could affect his career, he only needs to look at Will Young. He came out in 2002 after winning Pop Idol and has gone from strength to strength.

Joe, whose single The Climb was pipped to the Christmas No 1 spot by Rage Against the Machine after an web campaign last year, said he is too busy for love. But he added: “I am open to the idea of having a boyfriend if Mr Right came along.”

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/07/31/joe-mcelderry-i-m-gay-x-factor-winner-comes-out-in-daily-mirror-interview-115875-22452854/#ixzz0vNnJd6tK
Order your copy of the Daily Mirror for £3.15 and get the new Prince album 20TEN for Free. Order yours here