Irish Eurovision singer Ryan Dolan comes out as gay

Irish singer Ryan Dolan has spoken about his sexuality for the first time.

The 28-year-old – who represented Ireland in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest – spoke about being gay in a radio interview yesterday (February 5).

He also revealed that he contemplated taking his own life when he was younger because he struggled to come to terms with being gay.

“In school I was confused about who I was, and it was really hard for me growing up because of that. It was hard to deal with because I knew that I was gay, but I couldn’t get the courage to talk to someone about it,” he told Derek Mooney on Ireland’s Radio One.

“My father was the l last person to find out because I was afraid of what he would think. I think he actually took it the better than anyone I told. I couldn’t ask for better parents, they’ve been great to me my whole life.

“My whole life I built it up in my head. The more I thought about it the harder it got. Telling my father was the main thing because me and my father would be very close.”

The singer said that he encourages youngsters to be open about their sexuality, as it is “not a big deal anymore”.

“Things have changed compared to even when I was in school. Young people are coming out now at 15 or 16 which would never have happened when I was at school.

“Thinking back now I wish I would have came out about it a long time ago. I think my youth was wasted worrying all the time about it. If I had been more open back then I would have been happier,” he said.

Watch Ryan Dolan perform Only Love Survives at Eurovision 2013 below:

[youtube height=”315″ width=”560″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taRBnTOxEb8[/youtube]