Photo: Press
Union J's George Shelley has posted a video in which he opens up about his sexuality, saying, "I've had girlfriends, but I've also had boyfriends."
The singer rose to fame as a member of boyband Union J, who were put together on The X Factor back in 2012. He recently went into the Australian jungle as a contestant on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
Now, he's taken to YouTube to address speculation over his sexuality. "I've been reading a lot of speculation online as to whether I'm gay or straight or bi," he explained, "and it's all these labels and it's a little bit old-fashioned, and that's why I'm not going to label it myself, because it's not something that I feel like I can label."
He continued, "I've had girlfriends that I've loved, and have been amazing periods of my life, but I've also had boyfriends, and I just want you to know if I decide to be with a girl next or be with a guy next, it's because I love them, and it shouldn't be a big deal. I don't want to make a big thing out of it when it happens and I don't want to be scared anymore."
He concluded, "I don't want to feel like I can't be myself because i'm worried about what someone might be saying about me or the label thing. I'm still the same person I've always been, but like I said I'm just becoming a little bit less scared of being myself and that makes me quite happy."
The video has been met with overwhelming support - particularly from Shelley's bandmates. Jaymi Hensley, who came out as gay while the band were still competing on The X Factor, said, "What can I say must be something they put in our waters!" He added, "I couldn't be prouder of how he has shown such strength over this recently."
Proud of you @higeorgeshelley 👊
— JJ Hamblett (@JJHamblett) February 3, 2016
Meanwhile, Clean Bandit's Neil Milan has criticised journalist Dan Wooton for saying Shelley's sexuality is "something that's long been known in the showbiz industry."
this is such a patronising and unpleasant response why is there always someone who says it https://t.co/Zt98A01lNg
— Neil Milan (@neil_milan) February 3, 2016
Despite the fact that Shelley explicitly declines to label his sexuality, most tabloids have decided to label him bisexual anyway.
