19 Aug 05 Westlife star Mark Feehily today revealed he is gay. The Irish-born singer said the time was right to let people know the truth. Speaking to the Sun, he said: "I am gay and I'm very proud of who I am. I'm not asking for any sympathy or to be a role model to anyone else."

He added he was not worried about how people will react because he was happy being himself.

"My close friends and family - the people I love - have been incredibly supportive to me and that's what really matters," he said.

Feehily, 25, from Sligo, north west Ireland, is currently in a long-term relationship with singer Kevin McDaid, 21, who was in a boyband called V.

With the band, Feehily has had 12 number one singles, won two Brit awards, an MTV Europe award and had five multi-platinum albums.

Westlife have sold 34 million albums around the globe and are planning to release a new album in October.

Feehily said all the band members have been very supportive.