Westlife star opens up about gay relationship

FALLING in love gave Westlife singer Mark Feehily the confidence to speak about his gay relationship with boyfriend Kevin McDaid.

“The thing that finally set me free was falling in love with Kevin. It’s like the penny dropped,” the boyband singer said.

“I suddenly realised I didn’t care who knows about this. This is me. This is who I am.”

In a candid interview with his local newspaper, the Sligo Champion, Mark admitted as Westlife became famous he was beginning to question his sexuality.

His hectic touring schedule meant he put it to one side. “I put it in the box and locked it away and got on with life”, said Mark. “But I was often unhappy, because I suppose I knew I wasn’t being true to myself. The idea out there at the time was that all these young girls loved us and all that made it even more crazy.

“I remember all those teeny magazine interviews where we’d be asked questions about our favourite type of girls and our first kiss and all of that.

“Smash Hits never ask about your favourite type of boy. So, while everything seemed to be like a dream come true, for me it was all a bit unreal.”

Then he met Kevin, and everything changed. The two got together in January 2005 during the after-party in Dublin of the Cheerios Childline Concert, where their respective bands, Westlife and V, performed. They got engaged on the fifth anniversary day they first met.

“All I know is that coming out for me was the best thing I have ever done. It changed my life, allowed me to be happy with who I was,” Mark said.

“I believe everybody should feel free to express who they are as a person. It’s not about sex, but about being honest with yourself and others, and being happy.

“Most important, it’s about love and everyone has the right to fall in love and have a soul mate without questioning it,” he said.

Mark, who wrote the latest Westlife single “I Will Reach You”, admitted he would love to do a West End musical — but Westlife commitments come first.

He said: “I don’t see us packing in any time soon.”