Joe McElderry: I'm open to having a boyfriend

The X Factor winner admits that he's gay in a heart-warming interview

Joe McElderry has publicly admitted that he's gay in a heart-warming interview - and says he's kissed a boy in the past.

The X Factor winner has won over legions of critics with his honest and emotional announcement, saying: 'I'm so happy, I now know who I am.'

RELIVE ALL THE HIGHS & LOWS FROM THE X FACTOR 2009 HERE!

And it was all down to a cruel Twitter stunt...

The 19-year-old was subjected to a Twitter hacker attack last month, with someone taking over his account and publicly 'outing' the star - posting a message which read: 'It's been difficult living a lie for so many years.'

But the mean-spirited joke backfired, as it actually made Joe realise that it was okay to admit his true feelings.

'I was really angry at first - thinking, 'How dare they hack me?'' Joe told The Sun. 'But after a while I looked at the message and thought, well, they're not that far from the truth.'

'I think the Twitter thing was the point when I really realised I was gay. I just looked at it and thought, 'Should I be more bothered about this?''

The singer continued to admit that despite always insisting he fancied girls, he has in fact kissed a boy in the past.

'I've kissed lots of girls, but only one boy. I thought, 'Oh that's weird, maybe that's just what happens,'' he told The Mirror.

'It never really entered my head I was gay.'

And brave Joe insists that he never knowingly lied to anyone about his sexuality in the past.

'Every time I was asked, I gave honest answers,' he said. 'I wasn't even attracted to anyone anyway, male or female.'

'I'm single, I've not had a relationship with a boy, but I just know. It's how I feel.'

Joe only told his mum that he was gay a week ago, and also spoke to Simon Cowell on the phone prior to going public with the news.

'I spoke to Simon direct,' he continued. 'He said, 'Hi, it's Simon. You know,I 100 per cent agree with what you're doing. It's fantastic. I'm here at the end of the phone if you need any support, and we are thrilled for what you're doing.'

'I'm not worried about how fans will react,' Joe added. 'They have always said they'll back me no matter what.'

'I am open to the idea of having a boyfriend if Mr Right came along.'

RELIVE ALL THE HIGHS & LOWS FROM THE X FACTOR 2009 HERE!

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