Westlife's Mark
Feehily comes out

Mark Feehily of the popular Irish boy band Westlife has come out, reports The [London] Daily Mirror. "I want people to know the truth," Feehily, 25, told the Mirror. "I am gay, and I'm very proud of who I am. I'm not asking for sympathy or to be a role model for someone else. I simply felt it was the right time to tell the truth." Feehily, who has been in a relationship for several months with singer Kevin McDaid (formerly of the band V), went on to say, "I'm not worried about how people react because I'm happy being who I am. I'm still the same person the day I was before. I'm sure Westlife fans will be pleased I'm happy. I don't think it changes anything. All the lads in Westlife have settled down and are in relationships, so why can't I be?" A platinum-selling act in Ireland and the United Kingdom, Westlife has up until now had only minor impact in the United States.