Joe McElderry has admitted he is gay

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Joe McElderry attends an Audience With Michael Buble at the London ITV Studios on May 3, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Danny Martindale/Getty Images)

With the entire “I am not gay, my twitter account was hacked” affair behind us, Joe has now come out and admitted that he is in fact gay.

At the beginning of this month Joe was reportedly hacked on twitter when a prankster apparently posted a message on his account saying he was gay.

The 19-year-old deleted the tweet which said: “It’s been difficult living a lie for so many years.”

Afterwards, he wrote: “Guys my twitter has been hacked!” He then also told the Sun he was “straight and single”.

Today the rumours started flying about Joe actually admitting his is gay because of the hacker. He said: “I think the Twitter thing was the point when I realised I was gay.”

“I’m gay and I’m proud. I think I can be happy now I’ve realised who I am. I’m feeling good about it – it’s liberating.” he told the Mirror.

Simon Cowell already commented on McElderry coming out, saying: “I 100 per cent agree with what you are doing. It’s fantastic.”

Joe also received a kind-hearted message from McFly’s Tom Fletcher on Twitter, saying: “Well done Joe McElderry! Just in time to openly enjoy this months Attitude magazine ;)”

Joe also says he kissed one boy last year but thought nothing of it and that it was experimental.

Joe has even left a message on his website for all the non-believers! Read Joe’s message to his fans here where he explains all about his thoughts and feelings and… well, his sexuality.