The Feeling singer Dan Gillespie-Sells labels in-the-closet gay celebrities as ‘part of the problem’ in tackling homophobia

The musician said that avoiding discussing their sexuality makes celebrities look like they are ashamed of it

The Feeling frontman Dan Gillespie-Sells has criticised gay celebrities who are not publically out, saying that their refusal to open up about their personal lives makes them ‘part of the problem’ of sexual inequality in society.

The singer – himself an openly gay man raised by two gay parents – said that by not sharing information about their sexuality with their fans, gay stars were allowing homophobic attitudes to remain.

“People don’t understand that by avoiding the subject they are immediately looking like they are ashamed.

“When people do that half-arse thing of saying, ‘I don’t want to talk about it’, it really p***es me off.”

“I’ve always felt really strongly that I want people to know that I am gay,” he continued.

“I don’t really believe in this idea that everyone has some kind of right to privacy. I think sharing who you are and being yourself is so valuable.

“It’s so important. I think if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.”

The musician was speaking to the Metro at Jemmone Radio’s celebrations at the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard’s 40th birthday party, where he performed with the rest of his band.

Gillespie-Sells previously claimed that the refusal of outwardly gay stars to speak publically about their sexuality made them seem “ashamed” of who they were.

In an interview with Gigwise in September 2013, he said: “I get a little frustrated with the people that half come out, the people who are like 'I don’t want to talk about it, I wanna keep it real.

“Everyone knows you’re gay; you just look ashamed, just shut up and say it! It really pisses me off, not because I feel like everyone has to bare their soul all the time, people don’t have to know all the private details of their lives, but it’s nothing to be fucking ashamed of, so why act ashamed? It drives me crazy.”

He went on to describe his own coming out process as an easy and natural thing to do.

“I don’t really get to do much press around gay stuff, because I came out when I was a teenager, I’ve always been out y’know? I’ve never been in and as far as the press is concerned I’ve always just been that gay bloke in that band. There’s no big story, there’s no big scoop or big scandal, no negativeness. That’s the way I like it.”