Union J singer comes out: I’ve had boyfriends and I’ve also had girlfriends
A singer from boyband Union J has opened up about his sexuality to put an end to internet ‘speculation’ – but he doesn’t want a label put on it.
22-year-old George Shelley rose to fame on the ninth series of the X Factor, forming boyband Union J.
Last year, rumours about his sexuality grew after he appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! – but the singer spoke out today to shut down speculation.
In a YouTube video, he revealed he has dated both men and women – but doesn’t want to put a label on his sexuality.
He said: “I’ve been on a personal journey and I want you to be part of that journey from now on.
“I want to start 2016 with a clean slate. I don’t feel that I should hide anything.”
I went into the jungle and it gave me a lot of time to reflect on what’s important to me – and it’s important to me that I can be myself and I don’t feel I should hide on me.
He added: “I’ve been reading a lot of speculation online as to whether I’m, straight, gay or bi.
“It’s all these labels and it’s a little bit old-fashioned and this is why I’m not going to label it myself.
“I’ve had girlfriends that I’ve loved, in amazing periods of my life, but I’ve also had boyfriends.”
“I want you to know that whether I decide to be with a girl next or be with a guy next it’s because I love them.
“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 added: “I don’t want to feel like I can’t be myself because I’m worried about what somebody might be saying about me.”
Shelley is not the first member of the boyband to come out – bandmate Jaymi Hensley is engaged to his long-term partner Olly Marmon.
