Harry Styles photo used as unauthorised poster for gay nightclub

The One Direction star has been falsely 'outted' by a gay nightclub in Melbourne, Australia called ‘Closet Party’

As with almost any member of any boyband in the history of boybands, Harry Styles has long been the subject of rumours surrounding his sexuality.

As with almost any member of any boyband in the history of boybands, Harry Styles has long been the subject of rumours surrounding his sexuality.

Now, he’s been falsely “outted” by a gay nightclub in Melbourne, Australia called ‘Closet Party’, who have used an unauthorised image of the singer to promote a new event.

The One Direction star has been repeatedly questioned over his close friendship with Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, which he clarified during an interview with GQ magazine in September 2013: “We're not dating, no. We're just friends.”

“Bisexual? Me? I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I’m not,” he added when probed further over his orientation.

Then in October, he was forced to deny having a fling with fellow 1D bandmate Louis Tomlinson (the media hilariously dubbed the pair 'Larry Stylinson'), after fake photographs of them kissing were published via an Australian tabloid. And then, just when he’s strongly linked to (female) Kardashian relative Kendall Jenner, reports emerged that the alleged couple had been living it up on the gay clubbing scene in New York.

The One Direction star has been falsely “outted” by a gay nightclub in Melbourne, Australia called ‘Closet Party’

This week, Styles has been softly airbrushed into the background of the black-and-white image, which has been mocked up to look like a mugshot.

Liam Payne Defends Duck Dynasty Support Comments

The target audience is described as being ‘for homosexuals and those who love them’ in one strap line, while the accompanying slogan on the $10 entry fee reads 'Come out, come out, wherever you are.'

A representative for Harry Styles declined to comment on the image – or whether his management are likely to take action against the club for its use.

The use of attractive celebrity pictures seems to be a trademark move for the promoters, who have printed posters of Jennifer Lawrence (pictured below), John Travolta, Leonardo DiCaprio, Whitney Houston, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and Jodie Foster to advertise events in the past.

Closet Party also used Jennifer Lawrence's image to advertise one of their club nights back in November

The news comes a month after Styles won a court order to prevent the paparazzi from harassing him.

He had already attempted to persuade a number of photographers to stop their behaviour voluntarily.

But the talks had failed, forcing him to apply to the High Court for an injunction, his counsel David Sherborne confirmed in December 2013.

It also comes just two days after controversy surrounding bandmate Liam Payne's tweet, seemingly in support of Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson.

Liam Payne Apologises For Posing On Edge Of Dangerously High Building

Payne tweeted to his son, Willie Robertson: “@williebosshog huge love to you/your family huge respect for your business prosperities and the family values you still all behold. big fan”

The US reality TV series about the Robertson family has come under fire after Willie’s father Phil made a series of homophobic comments in an interview with GQ magazine last month.

Following a backlash on Twitter, Liam deleted his original tweet, before posting: “Being a fan of someones show and the way they still hold a family together doesnt mean i am ok with all they say.”

Read more on that story here.

Find out where 1D came in the most searched for stars of 2013 gallery below: