Vocal sensation Sam Smith has revealed that he was bullied for being gay when he was younger and it was an experience that left him feeling shaken and ostracised. 

Speaking to British newspaper The Sun, the 'Lay Me Down' superstar explained that he felt incredibly alone when he was being picked on for his sexuality and he also addressed body dysmorphia that's common within the gay community:

"My whole world just crashed and I had a really lonely feeling. I knew then it was going to take a lot longer to be accepted. There’s a lot of homophobia and bullying in the gay community. There’s also a lot of body dysmorphia in the gay community, which means if you’re not toned and skinny it can be awful."

Smith also recalled being punched in the neck and verbally abused by students at a 'rival school': 

"When I moved to London I got punched in the neck walking back from work. It was definitely homophobic. I was on the phone speaking quite loudly and had pink earphones on so it was pretty clear I was gay. A bunch of boys from a rival school would shout insults at me as I walked from my home to the train station.

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Watch Smith's Red Nose Day version of 'Lay Me Down', which features John Legend, here: