Gotye addresses trans ‘hoax’

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Belgian-Australian musician Gotye has addressed rumours he is transgender, describing them as part of a ‘hoax’ but explicitly declining to deny them.

The ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ singer told E! there was a rumour circulating that he was going to undergo gender reassignment surgery and begin living as a woman.

Gotye told E! of a hoax which circulated on Twitter that he was dead, adding: “Apparently there’s been a sex change hoax as well.”

But given the opportunity to clarify the situation he said: “Do I have to? Maybe it’s fun keeping it open.”

Recently, the lead singer of punk group Against Me! revealed she is transgender, becoming the most high-profile musician of recent times to make such an announcement.

In May, Laura Jane Grace, formerly known as Tom Gabel, was greeted with cheers at her first stage appearance after revealing she would begin living openly as a woman.