The X Factor finalist Christopher Maloney has revealed he's gay.
The former cruise ship singer refused to discuss his sexuality during the TV talent show last year, but insisted to Now magazine it was not because he wanted to gain votes, but to protect his partner of three years.
Christopher was asked if he was gay by the magazine, and responded: "Do you know what, I'm going to admit it.
"Honestly, I've never denied it or anything like that. It's just that with the show it was always an inappropriate time or people just asked inappropriate questions.
"No one asked. I didn't speak about my love life because I didn't want my partner to be dragged through this. It wasn't to gain votes or anything like that."
Fellow finalist Rylan Clark has congratulated Christopher for coming out, tweeting: "Proud of @ChrisMaloney77 xxx."
Christopher also spoke of his upset at receiving hateful messages from trolls on Twitter and death threats directed at both him and his grandmother.
The singer confessed he struggled to cope when he came third on the show.
He said: "I had a breakdown. I went home the Monday after the show finished and a psychologist came to see me. I wasn't struggling because I was a sore loser, but because of all I'd had to endure. It was hard to keep a grasp of reality."
Christopher, 35, revealed he has now put that behind him. He is still in a happy relationship with his partner and is hoping to begin work on his debut album.
