Westlife star: “being a gay icon is a great challenge”

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Gay Westlife star Mark Feehily has claimed that becoming a gay icon has been his biggest challenge so far.

The singer who came out last August after announcing his relationship with Kevin McDaid, a former member of the boy band V.

Mr Feehily told the Irish Mirror: “If somebody does come out that is in the public eye then they’re going to represent all homosexuals, not just themselves.

“I don’t know that I necessarily like it too much because, knowing me, I would probably say the wrong thing.

“But in that sense all I can do is try and share what I have learnt through my experience. But there is big pressure there and it’s a huge challenge.”

He added: “I think it is fantastic gay people can now get the same benefits as a straight couple. It is not something I am looking into at the moment. But if I decide to do it then I’ll probably tie the knot in London.”

Fellow Westlife band mate, Shane Filan recently said: “I think we all knew Mark was gay, but it was up to him to tell us himself.”

“We travel so much together that we’re like family. I know more about the boys individually and personally than I do my own brothers.”